Rainy Day Records - Owner Tim Russell

New/used music retail and video rentals. We also sell skateboards, audio equipment, incense and more.

Rainy Day Records is featured on itsyourolympia.com. Are you a PBIA ratepayer? Fill out your bio and you could be featured here next!

Upcoming community events

Local Energy Convergence
January 30, 1:30 to 4:30 pm and 4:30 to 8 pm

On Monday, January 30 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm Buy Local South Sound and Thurston Energy will host the Local Energy Convergence at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St NW in downtown Olympia. The event is to help local business harness local energy for growth. Attendees will meet fellow business owners to learn how they decreased costs and increased their profits through energy efficiency and sustainable practices. Guest speakers Jessica Jensen, Jessica Jensen Law, current Chair of Thurston County Chamber; Renee Ries, President of Fairchild Record Search and Jayne Kaszynski of the Olympia Food Co-op will discuss how to tap local resources – lending institutions, government agencies, utilities, technical assistance, nonprofit organizations and more, to help your business grow. Details at localenergynow.org.

There will be a Local Energy Celebration following the event from 4:30 to 8:30pm, also at The Olympia Center. Please join us as we celebrate your success (and that of our community) by reducing energy usage and buying local. Get more resources to take your energy savings and ability to purchase local products to the next level. Meet local groups and business owners that are leading the way with local energy.

Enjoy scrumptious, local and organic hors d’oeuvre and drinks. Live music, kid’s activities and more. Friends and family welcome!

For information and registration visit www.localenergynow.org.

A French evening with La Petite Maison
January 30, 6 to 8:30 pm

La Petite Maison, on the west side of Olympia, is back, with a new look and a new menu that strongly reflects the classics of French cuisine. Spend an evening with talented chef Justin Wells, owner and executive chef of La Petite Maison Restaurant. He will teach you the secrets of creating a perfect tarte l’onion (along with a simple green salad), a savory coq au vin (the famous French chicken in red wine sauce) and a spectacular chocolate souffle for dessert! If you love French cooking, this is your class! Complementary wine pairings. $55.

All events are held in the Bayview School of Cooking demo kitchen on the second floor of Bayview Thriftway, 516 4th Ave W in downtown Olympia. For information on this event or other classes call (360) 754-1448, visit www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com or stop by Bayview Thirftway or Ralph’s Thriftway to pick up your copy of the Bayview School of Cooking winter brochure.

Fireside Bookstore book group
February 2, 7 pm

Join in a discussion of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson on Thursday, February 2 at 7 pm. For more information call (360) 352-4006.

Book discussion: Screwing Mother Nature
February 3, 7 pm

Local author and television producer Elaine Smitha will discuss her recent book, Screwing Mother Nature for Profit. Ransacking pristine forests, vandalising sacred lands and exploiting nature the world over: there are no limits to what big business will do to turn a profit. But in this revelatory book, renowned businesswoman Elaine Smitha takes on the corporations and governments, showing them how to clean up their act by adopting the characteristics of the one thing they are damaging the most: Mother Nature herself. By examining the power of nature in fostering cooperative competition, she invites companies and governments to alter their ways and create a sustainable future for their business models and for the rest of the world.

All events are free and open to the public at Orca Books. For more information call (360) 352-0123 or visit www.orcabooks.com.

News around town

Music in the Park call for talent

2012 Summer Concert Series

Outdoor concerts each Wednesday, 7 to 8 pm in July and August at Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia. (One Friday concert held at the Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza.)

CALL FOR TALENT

February 15, 2012 deadline for mailing your band’s music CD, reproducible photo and biographical information to:

Music in the Park
c/o Olympia Downtown Association
120 State Ave NE, PMB #1031
Olympia, WA 98501-8212

Need more information?
www.MusicInTheParkOlympia.com
Contact:
Vida Zvirzdys-Farler
(360) 357-8948
odaevent@tss.net

Recession buster discount

Always Safe & Lock is pleased to announce a special price discount to businesses in downtown Olympia! $20 off any on-site service! FREE ESTIMATES!

Always Safe & Lock is your one stop security shop in downtown Olympia. For more information contact (360) 357-8500 or alwayssafe815@hotmail.com. Offer valid until June 30, 2012.

Senior Services for South Sound needs your help!

The Boutique Upstairs (Senior Services for South Sound) is launching a new store and they need your help! They are getting ready for the grand opening of their sister store on February 4, 2012. The Community Estate Store will open at 510 Columbia St NW and allow community members to donate items for resale to help seniors in need. It will also provide an additional revenue base to Senior Services for South Sound for years to come, so they can continue to support the seniors in our community through their programs, activities and meals. The Boutique Upstairs continues to prosper and will remain in its spot at The Olympia Center open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 3 pm.

Are you interested in partnering with Senior Services for South Sound? You can help by:

• Donating cash to be used towards start-up costs
• Donating inventory for the store such as furniture in good condition, housewares, collectibles, antiques, linens and art
• Volunteering in the store on a regular basis

There are a lot of ways to get involved! Please contact Deborah Montelaro for more information at (360) 515-0965.

Business tips

Business survival tips for a tight economy

Contact your accountant to identify potential tax breaks that may have been forgotten or overlooked. Some may still provide financial relief:

• You may deduct up to $250,000 for purchases of major equipment, including computers, non-customized computer software, office furniture and machinery.
• If business this year is truly bad and you are going to lose money, you may consider carrying back this loss in order to get a refund of taxes paid in prior years. A net operating loss deduction can generally be carried back to each of the two preceding tax years to offset taxable income in those years.
• Tax law also continues to provide generous incentives for small business owners. Self-employed individuals can generally deduct 100 percent of the cost of their health insurance (up to the amount of their earned income).

More business survival tips for a tight economy.

Customers will pay more (if you treat them well)

Customers will pay more money for something ON PURPOSE if the customer service is excellent. They will seek out businesses that provide legendary customer service knowing that they will end up paying more money. Think about this. Customers want to pay more money if they feel they are being treated well. Let me say that again: customers are seeking to pay more money, if (and this is a big ‘if’) they feel they are being treated well.

Copyright 2011. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold’s Retail & Consumer Tips, mail to: bwold@ix.netcom.com.

More customers will pay more (if you treat them well).

Excellent customer service for 2012

Focus on each individual customer service touchpoint: In 2012, focus on the critical value of the singular customer service touchpoint with your customers; the one interaction – the next call, email or chat – the single customer service interaction that might be your one chance to carry that customer to loyalty and maximum profitability.

The power of that one customer experience touchpoint is undeniable. You have to do everything you possibly can to transform that customer experience touchpoint into a customer loyalty experience that will have the customer buzzing about the way you answered his question, solved his problem or gave him direction.

You just never know what might come out of the singular customer service touchpoint with a customer. It could be that as soon as the customer disconnects from the call, email or chat or he walks out of your store that he will forget about you. However, it could also very well be that immediately after having had a great customer service experience or a horrible experience that he tweets a message, posts something on his Facebook page or shares his experience with a party of six at lunch.

Resolve to succeed with every customer experience touchpoint.

Copyright 2012. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold’s Retail & Consumer Tips, mail to bwold@ix.netcom.com.

More excellent customer service for 2012.

Capitol Florist - Owner Cynthia Salazar

Exceptional floral design available for delivery throughout Thurston County.

Capitol Florist is featured on itsyourolympia.com. Are you a PBIA ratepayer? Fill out your bio and you could be featured here next!

Upcoming community events

Bonaventure 2012 winter clearance sale – extended
Now through January 28

Due to the havoc created by the snow Bonaventure has extended their sale through the last weekend of January. Now is the time to get your boots to get you through the rest of this winter.

Bonaventure still has lots of boots by Munro, Naot, Anita, Sperry Topsider (waterproof) and Pikolinos.

Store hours are Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm and Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. For more information call (360) 943-4899 or visit www.bonaventureshoes.com.

New Year, New You at VUE sale
Now through January 28

New Year, New You at VUE sale continues until January 28.  Selected frame collections are 50% off with the purchase of lenses. Get your new specs for 2012 at a HUGE savings.  Visit VUE Vision Uniquely Experienced at 116 5th Ave SE, downtown Olympia, www.vueolympia.com.

ODA Annual Meeting
January 23, 6 to 8:30 pm

Monday, January 23, 2012 – 6 to 8:30 pm
Harlequin Productions/State Theater, 202 4th Ave E
$12 member donation and $15 non-member donation

6 pm – Reception and check-in
Appetizers and no host wine and beer

7 pm – Program begins
Fabulous raffles – entertainment
Special guest speakers:
Keith Stahley, Community Planning & Development Director
Rich Hoey, Interim Public Works Director
Topic: Project for Public Spaces

Please join us for a fun, informative evening and meet your neighbors. ODA’s Volunteer of the Year, Person of the Year and Business of the Year will be revealed.

Sponsored by:
Olympia Federal Savings

RSVP to (360) 357-8948 or odaoffice@tss.net.

Welcome to the Capital City Legislative Reception
January 25, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Location: Capitol Campus – John A Cherberg Building, conference rooms A/B

Featuring a celebration of the revitalization of Washington’s Main Street® Districts.

A light lunch will be provided.

Please RSVP to odaoffice@tss.net or (360) 357-8948.

Downtown Academy – Coffee talk
January 27, 8 to 9 am

What topics would you like to see for the Downtown Academy? What issues do you think the Economic Development Committee should consider in 2012? Come to the Coffee Talk Downtown Academy and share your ideas and brainstorm with the group.

Presenter:

Kari Qvigstad, Qvigstad & Associates, new chair of Economic Development Committee

Event Info:

Friday, January 27
8 to 9 am
New Caldonia Atrium
116 5th Ave SE
Downtown Olympia

Please RSVP to odaoffice@tss.net or (360) 357-8948.

News around town

Music in the Park call for talent

2012 Summer Concert Series

Outdoor concerts each Wednesday, 7 to 8 pm in July and August at Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia. (One Friday concert held at the Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza.)

CALL FOR TALENT

February 15, 2012 deadline for mailing your band’s music CD, reproducible photo and biographical information to:

Music in the Park
c/o Olympia Downtown Association
120 State Ave NE, PMB #1031
Olympia, WA 98501-8212

Need more information?
www.MusicInTheParkOlympia.com
Contact:
Vida Zvirzdys-Farler
(360) 357-8948
odaevent@tss.net

Recession buster discount

Always Safe & Lock is pleased to announce a special price discount to businesses in downtown Olympia! $20 off any on-site service! FREE ESTIMATES!

Always Safe & Lock is your one stop security shop in downtown Olympia. For more information contact (360) 357-8500 or alwayssafe815@hotmail.com. Offer valid until June 30, 2012.

Sustainable Thurston questionnaire

Sustainable Thurston needs your help as they embark on the first phase of a community-wide discussion about how to create and maintain vital and resilient communities within our region, as we face the challenges and opportunities that come with a growing population.

Sustainable Thurston asks that you complete the short questionnaire by January 25th. It will provide valuable information as Sustainable Thurston prepares to interact more directly with you, your neighbors and co-workers over the next several months.

Ultimately this project will result in a community defined vision for a sustainable future, including the actions, responsibilities and performance measures necessary to achieve it over time.

This is what they need you to do:

1) Simply click to complete the questionnaire and make sure to hit send when you have finished.

2) Please forward to friends, co-workers, associates, local business/service organizations – anyone that lives, works or plays in the Thurston Region. Sustainable Thurston is seeking the broadest level of participation in order to enrich the conversations to come.

To learn more about the project go to SustainableThurston.org. Have a look around – you’ll find a variety of resources and information related to this project, including some short videos. Click to join the email list to receive regular updates and information about events.

Sustainable Thurston thanks you for your help.

Business tips

Business survival tips for a tight economy

Make efforts to reduce the amount of time it takes to collect payment from customers. The most important key to getting paid on time is to be clear about the work that was done, how much should be paid and by when.

• Add a bold due date to your invoice.
• Call to make sure the customer got the invoice.
• Don’t wait until the payment is overdue; start collection efforts immediately.
• Make certain all customer service efforts are addressed immediately so that they won’t later be used as an excuse for withholding payment.

More business survival tips for a tight economy.

Excellent customer service for 2012

Focus on the customer service representative: The front-line employee who interacts directly with the customer is the single-most important ambassador a company has; they should be the standard-bearers of your company’s vision and brand. The company’s very reputation and brand promise must be conveyed to your valued customer.

As customer service leaders, resolve in 2012 to start recognizing your front-line customers service representatives. They are your customer service soldiers in their role. As leaders, start understanding your role to shape the resources, systems and processes as tools the front-line customer service representatives can use to heighten and improve the customer experience. Make sure you are providing your customer service representatives with the competencies and skills to do their job well, and then reward them in tangible and meaningful ways when they are successful.

Invite them to be the face of the company in a meaningful way … then observe in wonder as they gain the ability and the motivation to knock the customer’s socks off.

Copyright 2012. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold’s Retail & Consumer Tips, mail to bwold@ix.netcom.com.

More excellent customer service for 2012.

Olympia Wine Tasting Bar - Owners Doug and Kim McCrea

Olympia Wine Tasting Bar owned and operated by Doug and Kim McCrea.

Olympia Wine Tasting Bar is featured on itsyourolympia.com. Are you a PBIA ratepayer? Fill out your bio and you could be featured here next!

Upcoming community events

New Year, New You at VUE sale
Now through January 28

New Year, New You at VUE sale continues until January 28.  Selected frame collections are 50% off with the purchase of lenses. Get your new specs for 2012 at a HUGE savings.  Visit VUE Vision Uniquely Experienced at 116 5th Ave SE, downtown Olympia, www.vueolympia.com.

Thai Cooking 101 – Part 1
January 16, 6 to 8:30 pm

Thai restaurants have become immensely popular—almost everyone loves the bright and balanced flavors of this Southeast Asian cuisine. If you’ve wanted to create Thai dishes at home but were afraid it’s too difficult, this class is for you!  Pranee Khruasanit Halvorsen will demonstrate, step-by-step, how easy it is to prepare four standards of Thai cooking: curry, stir-fry, soup and salad.  You’ll learn to prepare chicken satay, tom yum goong, green curry and green papaya salad. Let Pranee help you keep that New Year’s resolution to learn something new! Complementary wine pairing. $60 ($110 for both Thai Cooking 101 – Part l and Part ll)

All events are held in the Bayview School of Cooking demo kitchen on the second floor of Bayview Thriftway, 516 West 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia. For information on this event or other classes call (360) 754-1448, visit www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com  or stop by Bayview Thriftway or Ralph’s Thriftway to pick up your copy of the Bayview School of Cooking winter brochure.

Book reading: Robert Forman
January 17, 7 pm

Robert Forman, author of Enlightenment Ain’t What It’s Cracked Up To Be: A Journey of Discovery, Snow and Jazz in the Soul.

Robert Forman’s book is an award-winning finalist in the Spirituality Category of The USA Book News “Best Books 2011″.

Jack Canfield, author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, had this to say about it: “The honesty, openness and transparency of Robert’s spiritual journey instantly captivated me. I read the book in one long, joyous sitting.”

All events are free and open to the public at Orca Books, 509 4th Ave E in downtown Olympia. For more information call (360) 352-0123 or visit www.orcabooks.com.

Book reading: Anthea Sharp
January 21, 6 pm

Anthea Sharp will be reading from Feyland, her young adult fiction debut. The novel has been collecting great reviews from readers at goodreads.com.

The plot: Feyland is the most immersive computer game ever designed, and Jennet Carter is the first to play the prototype. But she doesn’t suspect the virtual world is close enough to touch — or that she’ll be battling for her life against the Dark Queen of the faeries. Tam Linn is the perfect hero — in-game. Too bad the rest of his life is seriously flawed. The last thing he needs is rich-girl Jennet prying into his secrets, insisting he’s the only one who can help her. Together, Jennet and Tam enter the Dark Realm of Feyland, only to discover that the entire human world is in danger. Pushed to the limit of their abilities, they must defeat the Dark Queen…before it’s too late.

All events are free and open to the public at Orca Books, 509 4th Ave E in downtown Olympia. For more information call (360) 352-0123 or visit www.orcabooks.com.

ODA Annual Meeting
January 23, 6 to 8:30 pm

Monday, January 23, 2012 – 6 to 8:30 pm
Harlequin Productions/State Theater, 202 4th Ave E
$12 member donation and $15 non-member donation

6 pm – Reception and check-in
Appetizers and no host wine and beer

7 pm – Program begins
Fabulous raffles – entertainment
Special guest speakers:
Keith Stahley, Community Planning & Development Director
Rich Hoey, Interim Public Works Director
Topic: Project for Public Spaces

Please join us for a fun, informative evening and meet your neighbors. ODA’s Volunteer of the Year, Person of the Year and Business of the Year will be revealed.

Sponsored by:

RSVP by January 20 to (360) 357-8948 or odaoffice@tss.net.

News around town

Arts Walk registration

It’s that time again! Registration forms for artists and downtown businesses participating in Arts Walk XLIV are now available at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St NW, online at www.olympiawa.gov/artswalk or by calling Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation at (360) 753-8380. Deadline for registration is 7 pm, Friday, February 10, 2012. Sponsored by Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation and the Olympia Arts Commission, Arts Walk attracts over 15,000 visitors to celebrate the arts in downtown Olympia. Spring Arts Walk dates are Friday, April 27, 5 to 10 pm, and Saturday, April 28, 12 to 8 pm.

Music in the Park call for talent

2012 Summer Concert Series

Outdoor concerts each Wednesday, 7 to 8 pm in July and August at Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia. (One Friday concert held at the Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza.)

CALL FOR TALENT

February 15, 2012 deadline for mailing your band’s music CD, reproducible photo and biographical information to:

Music in the Park
c/o Olympia Downtown Association
120 State Ave NE, PMB #1031
Olympia, WA 98501-8212

Need more information?
www.MusicInTheParkOlympia.com
Contact:
Vida Zvirzdys-Farler
(360) 357-8948
odaevent@tss.net

Recession buster discount

Always Safe & Lock is pleased to announce a special price discount to businesses in downtown Olympia! $20 off any on-site service! FREE ESTIMATES!

Always Safe & Lock is your one stop security shop in downtown Olympia. For more information contact (360) 357-8500 or alwayssafe815@hotmail.com. Offer valid until June 30, 2012.

Transit rolls with 2012 legislative session

People working on or around the Capitol Campus, and those visiting during this year’s legislative session, have a number of options available to assist them with transportation and parking in the capital city. Read more.

Business tip

Business survival tips for a tight economy

Look for ways to maximize the power of referral within and to your business.

More business survival tips for a tight economy.

VUE Vision Uniquely Experienced - Owners Doug & Karen Jeske

VUE is a premier optical destination providing eye exams, contacts and unique eyewear collections in the heart of downtown Olympia. Brandy, Licensed Dispensing Optician, provides eyewear consulting and optical services at VUE, while Dr. Jeske provides comprehensive eye exams, prescribes licenses and manages medical eye conditions.

VUE is featured on itsyourolympia.com. Are you a PBIA ratepayer? Fill out your bio and you could be featured here next!

Upcoming community events

Bonaventure 2012 winter clearance sale
January 6 through January 15

Bonaventure is starting off the new year with their annual winter clearance sale with price reductions of 30 percent to 80 percent.

Bonaventure is also closing out selected styles of Antia, Anyi Lu, Hobo, Icon, Munro, Naot, Pikolino, Sperry Topsider, Taos and Stuart Weitzman.

Receive a dollar coin with your purchase and let Bonaventure pay for your parking while you shop at Bonaventure.

Store hours are Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm and Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. For more information call (360) 943-4899 or visit www.bonaventureshoes.com.

Workshop: Why be a Grinch?
January 7 and January 14

Are you already dreading the holidays? Feeling like a Grinch? There are many reasons people dread the holidays:

• They eat or drink too much
• Dealing with unresolved family conflicts
• People have unmet expectations
• There are added financial and emotional stresses
• People have too many things to do or buy
• They have memories of past holidays that weren’t so great
• What would you add to this list

90-minute sessions on Saturdays before, during and after the holidays, at half price:
A $100 value for only $50 a session.
January 7, 14

Gift yourself or a family member/friend. Why wait to have a great holiday season?

Zoe Waggoner, MA, LMHC
Sacred Soul Hypnotherapy
314 Capitol Way N, #260
(360) 432-1236
zoewaggoner@gmail.com
www.sacredsoulhypnotherapy.com

Schnitzel cooking class
January 10, 6 to 8:30 pm

If you thought Schnitzel was Schnitzel, think again! Regina Dearborn demonstrates the versatility of this famous Austrian dish by offering traditional Schnitzel (pounded pork cutlets, breaded and pan fried), hunter’s Schnitzel (with a rich mushroom sauce), Swiss Schnitzel (topped with Swiss cheese and tomato) and Madagascar Schnitzel (with a white cream sauce and fresh green peppercorns).  Favorite accompaniments include, Kartoffel-Kroketten (mashed potatoes shaped into a roll and pan fried), peas with fingerling carrots and spaghetti ice (say “Shpaghetti”)—a wildly popular dessert in Germany! Complementary wine pairing. $45

All events are held in the Bayview School of Cooking demo kitchen on the second floor of Bayview Thriftway, 516 West 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia. For information on this event or other classes call 360-754-1448, visit www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com or stop by Bayview Thriftway or Ralph’s Thriftway to pick up your copy of the Bayview School of Cooking winter brochure.

Dinner for friends—Italian style!
January 11, 6 to 8:30 pm

The winter months are the perfect time to invite friends over for an easy, no-fuss Italian meal.  Christine Ciancetta demonstrates just how easy it is to “create” a special occasion with Stracciatella (Roman egg and cheese soup with a light broth), spinach and egg salad, Sicilian beef rolls (with pine nuts, raisins and garlic in tomato sauce), Sicilian rice with olives and vegetables and clever sweet chocolate “salami” (with dried fruit and pistachios—similar to a no-bake cookie). Treat yourself to a little party!  Complementary wine pairing. $45

All events are held in the Bayview School of Cooking demo kitchen on the second floor of Bayview Thriftway, 516 West 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia.  For information on this event or other classes call 360-754-1448, visit www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com  or stop by Bayview Thriftway or Ralph’s Thriftway to pick up your copy of the Bayview School of Cooking winter brochure.

News around town

Music in the Park call for talent

2012 Summer Concert Series

Outdoor concerts each Wednesday, 7 to 8 pm in July and August at Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia. (One Friday concert held at the Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza.)

CALL FOR TALENT

February 15, 2012 deadline for mailing your band’s music CD, reproducible photo and biographical information to:

Music in the Park
c/o Olympia Downtown Association
120 State Ave NE, PMB #1031
Olympia, WA 98501-8212

Need more information?
www.MusicInTheParkOlympia.com
Contact:
Vida Zvirzdys-Farler
(360) 357-8948
odaevent@tss.net

Matter Gallery - Owner Jo Gallaugher

Contemporary, fine art gallery featuring over 100 artists using recycled and reclaimed materials.

Matter Gallery is featured on itsyourolympia.com. Are you a PBIA ratepayer? Fill out your bio and you could be featured here next!

Upcoming community events

Free concerts “Fridays at the First” – Kippy Lou Scott, Harpist
December 16, 12 to 1 pm

Kippy Lou Scott is world renowned for her mastery of the harp. She will be playing fresh interpretations of classical and seasonal favorites.

Kippy has appeared with top-flight entertainers including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Bernadette Peters and Bill Cosby. Her repertoire spans the centuries and all categories of music, with interpretations of compositions by Debussy, the Beatles, Andrew Lloyd Webber and everything in between. She is a gifted arranger with a special talent for bringing standards to new and vibrant life.

All concerts are free (contributions will be accepted for the musicians) at First Christian Church, 701 Franklin St SE. Free refreshments will be served at 11:30 am. For more information contact First Christian Church at (360) 943-8025, ccfirst@qwestoffice.net or visit www.firstchristianolympia.org.

Workshop: Why be a Grinch?
Saturdays through the holidays

Are you already dreading the holidays? Feeling like a Grinch? There are many reasons people dread the holidays:

• They eat or drink too much
• Dealing with unresolved family conflicts
• People have unmet expectations
• There are added financial and emotional stresses
• People have too many things to do or buy
• They have memories of past holidays that weren’t so great
• What would you add to this list

90-minute sessions on Saturdays before, during and after the holidays, at half price:
A $100 value for only $50 a session.
December 17, 24, 31
January 7, 14

Gift yourself or a family member/friend. Why wait to have a great holiday season?

Zoe Waggoner, MA, LMHC
Sacred Soul Hypnotherapy
314 Capitol Way N, #260
(360) 432-1236
zoewaggoner@gmail.com
www.sacredsoulhypnotherapy.com

Book signing with Seattle novelist
December 17, 12 to 3 pm

Seattle novelist Michael Schein will be in the store signing copies of his latest book, Bones Beneath Our Feet, a historical epic chronicling the conquest of Puget Sound by the “Bostons”, the white people from back east. The gravestone of Chief Leschi, leader of the Native cause, reads:  “LESCHI – Judicially Murdered Feb. 19, 1858.” Behind these few words lies an essential story for all who are passionate about tolerance, dignity and liberty. Bones Beneath Our Feet is a welcome addition to the historical fiction of our region.

Schein has taught both poetry and fiction at Port Townsend Writers Conference, and a former board member of the Washington Poets Association. Schein is himself a settler from back east: born and raised in Vermont, he attended Reed College in Portland and has lived in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle for over twenty years.

As always, all are free and open to the public at Orca Books, 509 4th Ave E. For more information call (360) 352-0123 or visit www.orcabooks.com.

Carolers and Santa
December 17, 12 to 4 pm

Catch the carolers singing along the sidewalks in downtown! On Saturday, December 17 from 12 to 2 pm, River Ridge High School choir students will be caroling downtown.

Don’t forget to have your free visit with Santa! Visit Santa and receive a bell necklace. Saturday, December 17 from 12 to 4 pm at Cortney Kelley Photography, 418 Washington St SE.

Holiday show
December 18, 5 to 6:30 pm and 7:30 to 9 pm

Please join Dockside Bistro on Sunday, December 18 in welcoming vocalist Greta Matassa and her duo for her annual Holiday Show. Greta will be performing two shows from 5 to 6:30 pm and from 7:30 to 9 pm. Dockside Bistro will open for dinner service and seating at 4:30 pm. No cover, but dinner reservations required. Please visit the events page at www.docksidebistro.com for more information and reservations. Dockside Bistro is at 501 Columbia St NW on the water at Percival Landing North. Please call (360) 956-1928 for more information.

Business tips

Business survival tips for a tight economy

Take positive actions and maintain a positive attitude. People want to buy from a winner, so act like a winner! Do a little market research and be ready to identify and capitalize on potential opportunities. A colleague shared recently that he talked to a restaurant owner whose business has actually been increasing due to the fact that he’s taking advantage of a competitor’s cutbacks; offering more customer friendly hours (opening two hours earlier by customer request); offering friendly and personalized service (reintroducing big coffee cups and small cups again by customer request); and is actively combating any negative word of mouth in the local marketplace.

More business survival tips for a tight economy.

Five ways to attract new customers

List your business on Google and Yahoo. When we want to find anything, we turn to Google or Yahoo to search – and you can’t get any bigger in terms of websites than these. Google has a Local Business Directory where you can register your business absolutely free. And here’s what’s most interesting. There’s no reason not to list your business on both sites – whether you own a mom and pop hardware store or a bar, you want to leverage the extraordinary reach of these search engines. Check out Google’s tutorial to help you get started.

Copyright 2011. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold’s Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com.

More ways to attract new customers.

Blossoming Dreams - Owner Beth Hyer

Massage, Resonance Repatterning and Gem Essences.

Blossoming Dreams is featured on itsyourolympia.com. Are you a PBIA ratepayer? Fill out your bio and you could be featured here next!

Upcoming community events

Shop Downtown for the Holidays Sweepstakes
November 25 through December 4

Cooking class: Christmas morning brunch encore
December 1, 6 to 8:30 pm

Back by popular request, Leanne Willard again presents her fabulous make-ahead brunch that’s perfect for entertaining family and friends on Christmas morning or any other festive occasion. The sumptuous menu includes tutti-frutti Christmas salad (winter fruit marinated in spiced syrup), baked crab fondue, sugared bacon, cherry-almond coffee cake and a refreshing champagne-spiked Christmas morning cranberry punch. Cost is $45 per person.

All events are held in the Bayview School of Cooking demo kitchen on the second floor of Bayview Thriftway, 516 4th Ave W in downtown Olympia. For information on this event or other classes call (360) 754-1448, visit www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com or stop by Bayview Thriftway or Ralph’s Thriftway to pick up your copies of the Bayview School of Cooking fall and winter brochures.

Free concerts “Fridays at the First” – The Timberline High School Chamber Choir
December 2, 12 to 1 pm

The Timberline High School Chamber Choir is recognized as one of the state’s best women’s choirs year in and year out. This auditioned choir serves a unique role by traveling and performing at various community events, festivals and competitions all over the state. Above all, the THS Chamber Choir seeks to share their music wherever they go and to make a positive impact on the lives of the audience. Aside from duties at Timberline High School, Director Terry Shaw is the Director of Music Ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church and is the founding director of the 95-voice Olympia Choral Society.

All concerts are free (contributions will be accepted for the musicians) at First Christian Church, 701 Franklin St SE. Free refreshments will be served at 11:30 am. For more information contact First Christian Church at (360) 943-8025, ccfirst@qwestoffice.net or visit www.firstchristianolympia.org.

Stay tuned for more Fridays at the First free concerts!

First Friday
December 2, 5 to 8 pm

First Friday is December 2. Come downtown, stores are open late until 8. Remember, parking is free downtown after 5 pm. December’s First Friday theme is the holidays. Come downtown and shop local!

Participating businesses:

Antique Junkie
Antiques Olympia
Archibald Sisters
Belleza Ropa
Bonaventure
Bonjour Cupcakes
Browsers’ Book Shop
Capitol Florist
Childhood’s End Gallery
Compass Rose
Courtyard Antiques
Danger Room
Drees
Finders Keepers
Fire and Earth
Furniture Works
Ginger Street
Hot Toddy
Invictus Cafe
Lily’s What to Where
Matter Gallery
Olympia Fireplace & Spa
Olympia Wine Tasting Bar
Olympic Wine Merchant
Painted Plate
Popinjay, The
Pop Shop – New!
Radiance Herbs & Massage
Red Door
Super Silver
Sweet Life Boutique
Swing Wine Bar & Cafe
Tattered Treasures
VUE
Whodunit? Books
Wind Up Here
Yolli Shoes

Downtown for the Holidays December festivities
December 3, 12 to 4 pm

Every Saturday before Christmas Eve, Noon to 4 pm.

Downtown for the Holidays schedule has been expanded once again to December to include:

- Visits and photo with Santa at Studio Four 18 with Cortney Kelley, 418 Washington Street

- Carolers singing throughout downtown

December festivities are funded by the Parking Business Improvement Area (PBIA).

For more information on Downtown for the Holidays contact the Olympia Downtown Association at (360) 357-8948 or odaevent@tss.net.

News around town

Olympia Downtown Association featured on Around Thurston County

In December, the Comcast TCTV program “Around Thurston County” will air a show about downtown Olympia and the Olympia Downtown Association (ODA). Connie Lorenz, the Executive Director of the Olympia Downtown Association and Jeanne Carras, President of the Olympia Downtown Association will be the guests. Patrick Babineau, host of the show “Around Thurston County” will discuss with Connie and Jeanne some of the ways ODA is working to encourage people to visit and enjoy Olympia’s downtown. They will also discuss how the ODA serves its members in the downtown area.

The show about Olympia’s downtown will air on TCTV Channel 22 twice weekly in December – on Mondays at 6:30 pm and on Fridays at 5 pm. Plan to watch it. You can also find information concerning the show “Around Thurston County on Facebook.

The program “Around Thurston County is a social affairs program that discusses topics and issues that impact the lives of Thurston County residents. It is produced once a month at Comcast TCTV studios in Olympia and airs on Channel 22 twice weekly – every Monday at 6:30 pm and every Friday at 5 pm. The host is Patrick Babineau. He can be reached at PatrickBabineau@comcast.net.

Business Tips

Business-building reminders to share with your community merchants for the holidays

The Christmas and holiday retail season easily outshines other times of the year in sales, but it can also be the most exhausting.  With proper planning and preparation, it can be not only a successful and memorable season, but in the most positive sense of the word, an enjoyable one for owners, managers, staff and certainly customers.

LET’S START . . .
Having all salespeople read company ads, catalogs, literature, Facebook, Twitter and blogs before customers come in with questions and inquiries. An uninformed salesperson is bad for business. Also check out everything about the competition.

Staying open longer hours. You want your community to shop locally – so make it easier for your customers that have a job and are working.

Establishing dress codes for employees and enforcing these dress codes. (Even if there is a uniform – it should be clean, neat, etc.) Employees are the representatives of the store and should project the image the store wants to convey.

Greeting everyone who walks through the door.  Coming up with different greetings – so customers don’t hear the same greeting over and over when shopping in the store.

Making it comfortable for customers to shop. Adjusting the thermostat because customers may be wearing coats and the staff can wear a sweater. Perhaps a rack for customer’s coats and a place to check packages.

Having employees identify themselves when answering the phone. This adds a professional touch and provides the caller with a person to identify with on the other end of the line.

Cleaning up the cash-wrap area as-you-go and putting everything in its place. Customers are concerned about transaction accuracy and your services, i.e., shipping, if this area is a mess with clutter and food.

Listening, really listening to customers. If you don’t really listen and show customers the wrong merchandise – they will assume you don’t have what they are looking for and leave.

Stocking and cleaning during hours when the store is not open. Doing these chores when the store is open is inconsiderate to shoppers and doesn’t convey a professional image. Instead have the staff mingle with the customers and help with suggestions.

Having all cash registers open when the store is busy. An extra staff member can mingle with the customers in line – making additional suggestions.

Getting everyone on board. Ensuring that everyone in the organization understands what the winning advantage is and what their role is in supporting it.

Making every customer feel special.

LET’S STOP . . .
Trying to get a head start on store closing times. Vacuuming while the store is still open is rude and should be done after the store closes.

Helping phone inquiries while other customers are in the store waiting to be helped. The customer in the store should take precedence. Having someone besides the cashier answer the phone.

Running out of sale items or advertised specials early on the first day of the promotion. A product should not be advertised unless there is sufficient stock.

Using the store phone for personal calls.  

Business survival tips for a tight economy

Encourage/promote a “buy locally” strategy in your community. People do not want to travel to make their purchases, so as a local business, you may be able to capitalize on high fuel costs and the convenience you offer. Even though times are tough, now may not be the time to cut back on your advertising/marketing efforts in the local market. Remind people that buying from you saves fuel and postage costs.

More business survival tips for a tight economy.

Five ways to attract new customers

Encourage customer reviews on Yelp. Some 90 percent of consumers say they trust recommendations from people they know, and 70 percent say they trust consumer opinions posted online, according to a Nielsen Global Online Consumer Survey.

Copyright 2011. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold’s Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com.

More ways to attract new customers.

What can be learned from a mouse with big ears

Keep customers coming back. The Star Wards inspired ride called Star Tours has six different destinations, two beginning scenes and three holograms. This means that there are 54 different combinations. If you’re very lucky, you can see all the combinations in three rides – or, much more likely, you’ll have to keep coming back for more.

Copyright 2011. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold’s Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com.

More business tips from Mickey Mouse.

The Other Guys - Owner Craig Holt

Computer and printer service, with in-shop and onsite options.

The Other Guys is featured on itsyourolympia.com. Are you a PBIA ratepayer? Fill out your bio and you could be featured here next!

Upcoming community events

Shop Downtown for the Holidays Sweepstakes
November 25 through December 4

Workshop: Why be a Grinch?
Saturdays through the holidays

Are you already dreading the holidays? Feeling like a Grinch? There are many reasons people dread the holidays:

• They eat or drink too much
• Dealing with unresolved family conflicts
• People have unmet expectations
• There are added financial and emotional stresses
• People have too many things to do or buy
• They have memories of past holidays that weren’t so great
• What would you add to this list

90-minute sessions on Saturdays before, during and after the holidays, at half price:
A $100 value for only $50 a session.
November 26
December 10, 17, 24, 31
January 7, 14

Gift yourself or a family member/friend. Why wait to have a great holiday season?

Zoe Waggoner, MA, LMHC
Sacred Soul Hypnotherapy
314 Capitol Way N, #260
(360) 432-1236
zoewaggoner@gmail.com
www.sacredsoulhypnotherapy.com

Downtown for the Holidays
November 27, noon to 4:30 pm

Downtown for the Holidays is a day filled with fun and entertainment. Most activities are centered in and about Sylvester Park. Brought to you by the Olympia Downtown Association through donations from downtown businesses, sponsors and individuals. Sponsored by the Parking Business Improvement Area (PBIA). Bring your family and enjoy the day!

SCHEDULE

Noon to 2:30 pm – Free horse-drawn wagon rides with Mrs Claus! – Sylvester Park
Noon to 2:30 pm – Free electric trolley rides for the family – Washington St and Legion Way
Noon to 2:30 pm and 3:30 to 5 pm – Visit and photos with Santa in the lobby of the Olympian Hotel by photographer Cortney Kelley Photography.
Noon to 5 pm – Gingerbread Holiday Competition – Located in the Urban Onion Ballroom in the Olympian Hotel. Organized by South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.
1 to 2:30 pm – First Christian Church Chime Choir – Olympian Hotel lobby, second floor.
1 to 2:30 pm - Masterworks singers from Masterworks Choral Ensemble – Corner of 5th Ave and Capitol Way.
3 pm - Holiday Parade – On Capitol Way from Olympia Farmers Market to Sylvester Park.
4 pm - Olympia Highlanders Pipes & Drums – Sylvester Park and Legion Way.
4 pm - Singing Christmas Tree performance by Capital Playhouse’s Kids in Koncert – Legion Way next to Sylvester Park.
4:30 pm - Tree lighting ceremony – Sylvester Park

DECEMBER FESTIVITIES
Three Saturdays before Christmas Eve.

Noon to 4 pm
Visits and photo with Santa at Cortney Kelley Photography, 418 Washington St.
Carolers singing throughout downtown.

For more information on Downtown for the Holidays, contact the Olympia Downtown Association at (360) 357-8948 or odaevent@tss.net.

Artists for Animals
November 27, 2 to 9 pm

Concert by local bands
Mayfourthmovement, Half Ass Hippies, Good Wood, Humble Smile

Exhibition of local artwork
Laura, Kyle, Marissa, Petrina and others

Raffle!
Massage, gift cards, services and other items

Why: Fundraiser to support the nonprofit organization, Concern for Animals.

Entry: $3 donation or pet supplies such as five pounds of food for entry.

When: November 27, 2 to 9 pm

Where: South Bay BBQ, 619 Legion Way SE in downtown Olympia.

News around town

King Salmon selected as people’s prize award winner

On November 7, 2011, Olympia City Council approved the Percival Landing People’s Prize Sculpture Award. From August 25 to September 30, 2011 the public was invited to view the exhibition of loaned sculptures currently on display along Percival Landing and vote for the artwork they felt the City should purchase. A total of 313 votes were received during the voting period. Of that, 187 were from Olympia proper, 39 were from Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County. In addition, visitors who voted came from across Washington State, Vancouver BC, Hawaii, California, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New York, Oregon and the Netherlands.

With 83 votes, King Salmon by Dan Klennert of Elbe, WA, was the peoples’ choice. King Salmon is constructed of found metal, using everything from horseshoes in the body of the salmon to a large cogwheel at the base of the 10 foot tall sculpture. Comments regarding why King Salmon appealed to voters included its use of recycled materials, and the concept of salmon as important to our Northwest heritage and environment. Klennert has been a Northwest sculptor for the past 39 years. His work can be found in the permanent collections of Port Angeles, Wenatchee, Port Angeles and Blaine, WA. Klennert also has a four acre sculpture park on State Route 706 on the way to Mount Rainier, between Elbe and Ashford, that is open to the public.

The Percival Plinth exhibition will continued through spring 2012. The current exhibition can be viewed in person along Percival Landing from Bayview Thriftway to Budd Bay Café. In addition, artist biographies and contact information can be found at www.olympiawa.gov/plinth. Following the exhibition, the loaned sculpture will return to the artists and  King Salmon will move to West Bay Park for permanent installation. For more information, please contact Stephanie Johnson, Arts & Events Manager, at (360) 709-2678.

New charity: savechildsoldier.org

UNICEF and the UN estimate that there are roughly 300,000 children currently being used as armed combatants in as many as 30 regional conflicts worldwide. Most of these children are forcibly taken from their homes and families, heavily indoctrinated, drugged and often forced to commit unimaginable atrocities. If they are released, or are lucky enough to escape, most of them have no home to return to, no means of receiving an education, and no means of receiving counseling for the trauma they’ve endured. They are in most instances left to fend for themselves, and will often resort to crime.

Our purpose at Save a Child Soldier is to help these unique kids obtain opportunities for education and rehabilitation. We are currently looking for teachers, doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, life coaches, students or anyone else who wishes to volunteer time to helping get these kids back on a brighter path. Our charity is just starting and we need any help we can get in spreading awareness of not only our organization, but of the issue of child soldiers in general. We are currently working with groups in Sierra Leone and Uganda, but hope to eventually spread our network to every region of the globe that uses child soldiers. With enough support, we will organize trips where volunteers can work one-on-one with the children in a variety of roles.

In addition to directly distributing monetary donations, we also plan on providing the children with clothing, sporting goods, books, art supplies and any other practical materials, so if you have anything to offer that could enrich their lives, please contact us. We hope you will spread the word about this cause, and investigate the matter more deeply on your own; and if you think you are ready to get involved in helping former child soldiers regain their futures, please don’t hesitate to join our movement!

Contact:

Email: info@savechildsoldier.org
Phone: (360) 561-6629
(847) 254-1181
(503) 504-1462
‘Like’ us on Facebook and join discussions.

Pile driving work

The LOTT Clean Water Alliance has begun construction of needed improvements at the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant in downtown Olympia. The project involves construction of two new primary sedimentation basins that will be located on the west side of Jefferson Street NE just north of Olympia/Thurston Avenue.

Beginning around November 15, pile driving for the basins will begin and will continue for about two months. Pile driving of steel pipe piles will take one month, followed immediately by another month of sheet pile driving. Neighbors can expect loud pounding noise during working hours of 7 am to 4 pm (on rare occasions, until 6 pm), Monday through Friday. No construction activities will be conducted on November 24 to 25, December 25 to 26, or January 1 to 2.

For more information regarding the pile driving and the overall project, please see the attached letter to neighbors and the project fact sheet.

Possible New Year’s Eve event

Dear downtown residents, property and business owners and employees,

This is David Scherer Water. I’m the VP of Deskoba, an Olympia-based company that has 12 buildings in Olympia. I’m also the owner of Flat Win. You might know me in a number of ways, but today I’m writing as the founder and president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA).

Over the years I’ve organized a number of events. You may recall my street fairs (2001 to 2008). I organized a large-scale parent-child play-group called The Olympia Freeze Tag Society (2000 to 2004). I currently host an annual event called Gravity Appreciation Day. The most recent DNA event I organized was a Halloween block party in 2009.

I’m writing to get some feedback about a new block party idea I have. I’m considering doing a pilot, one-time experimental New Year’s Eve event. The event would include a midnight countdown and “ball-drop”. The location would be near the intersection of 5th Avenue and Washington Street, on 5th Avenue, in the middle of the street, about 20 yards in (or west) from the intersection. This lines up with the New Caldonia building to the north and Whodunit Books to the south. There would be no equipment, vendors or materials in the street besides road barricades that would get set up at 9 pm. The mechanism for the midnight ball-drop and the P.A. system would be attached to the roof, awning and second story of The Martin Building (Whodunit/Wind Up Here/Radiance). We would play some music, count off the time to midnight and then re-open the street to traffic at 12:30 am.

In many ways the Halloween event was a pilot for this pilot. That event started at 9:30 pm and ended at midnight, brought families downtown from surrounding neighborhoods at a time when families tend to stay away and went off without incident. My hope for the New Year’s event is to create an alternative to the bars, a place where parents can feel good about coming with their kids for a community ringing-in of the New Year.

I realize it could be very cold, it could rain, it could snow, etc. Expected turnout will be hard to gauge until we know the weather, but if the weather isn’t terrible and we’re lucky, maybe we’d have a hundred people countdown the seconds to 2012.

I’m already in consultation with the Olympia Police Department (OPD), the Olympia Fire Department (OFD) and City of Olympia staff who have given me an initial permission to hold the event as described above. Over the next week I’ll make a final decision on moving forward and I’d like to know what you think during this time. Please call or email me if you have any questions or concerns. If I go forward with this plan I will put out formal publicity announcements around the first week of December.

Sincerely,

David

(360) 701-9875
david.scherer.water@gmail.com

Stardust Serenade, the final chapter in the Stardust series, opens at the State Theater

Stardust Serenade, a holiday musical by Harlowe Reed, opens at the State Theater in downtown Olympia on Friday, November 25. It is the final installment of the Stardust Club series, which has become a local tradition with 1940s music, dance and comedy.

In this chapter of the series, the Stardust gang throws a private party at the club for a young flyer who’ll soon be off to war in Europe. Enter a G-Man who is ready to lock the place up for back taxes – immediately. But the show (well, the party) must go on! Celebrity impressions, ’40s swing, comedy and holiday cheer, all help to turn a straight federal directive into a hot twisted pretzel of confusion and fun!

Over the course of 17 productions and 300 performances, the Stardust series has showcased over 300 songs from the 1940s and featured over 150 performers, musicians and dancers.  More than 40,000 man hours have been spent in rehearsals, design and technical work and over 40,000 tickets have been sold to the series, which is directed by Linda Whitney.

“The Stardust Club shows have been our annual Christmas cards to the community and that sentiment will remain in future years,” Whitney said. “Next Christmas we will move on to other decades and other styles of holiday entertainment.”

WHO: Harlequin Productions

WHAT: Stardust Serenade, a holiday musical by Harlowe Reed

WHERE: The State Theater, 202 4th Ave E, downtown Olympia

WHEN: November 25 to December 31. Wednesday through Saturday evenings, weekend matinees

HOW MUCH: $15 to $38

SPECIAL DEALS:
Pay What You Can: Wednesday, November 30 at 8 pm
Ladies’ Night Out: Friday, December 2 at 7 pm
Rush tickets available at box office half hour before curtain

Harlequin Productions is a professional, non-profit theater company offering a seven-show, year-round season of classics, musicals, and new works, as well as training and outreach programs. Through a dynamic selection of extraordinary material, the company explores the human adventure in search of theatrical magic that stretches the mind, nourishes the soul, and inspires human empathy. Celebrating their 21st Anniversary season in 2012, Harlequin also owns and operates the State Theater in downtown Olympia.

For more information contact Jen Jenkins, Operations Manager at (360) 705-3250 ext 103 or jen@harlequinproductions.org.

Two weeks left to apply – 2012 Arts Walk map cover artist search

The City of Olympia Arts & Events Program is seeking to commission artwork for the spring and fall 2012 Arts Walk map covers; a jury will choose the artists who will be featured on each map.

Prospective artists must have officially participated in Arts Walk within the past two years. Applicants need to complete a short application and turn in an artist’s statement with five slides or digital images of their current work.

Applications are available at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St NW or online at www.olympiawa.gov/publicartCFA. Deadline for application is 5 pm, Friday, November 28, 2012. For more information please Contact Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation at (360) 753-8380.

Capitol Florist - Owner Cynthia Salazar

Exceptional floral design available for delivery throughout Thurston County.

Capitol Florist is featured on itsyourolympia.com. Are you a PBIA ratepayer? Fill out your bio and you could be featured here next!

Upcoming community events

Shop to Support the Symphony at Bonaventure
November 10, 5 to 7:30 pm

You are invited to join Bonaventure in support of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra. Shop for shoes, handbags and hosiery at Bonaventure and enjoy wine tasting at the Olympia Wine Tasting Bar. Have fun with your friends while supporting the Olympia Symphony Orchestra. 10 percent of all sales generously donated to the Olympia Symphony Orchestra. Indulge your feet in fabulous footwear from Bonaventure and delight your palate with fine Washington wines from McCrea Cellars! For more information contact Bonaventure at (360) 943-4899.

Wind Up Here’s Classic Game Night
November 11, 6 to 7:30 pm

Cribbage tournament at this month’s Classic Game Night, challenge some cut throat cribbage players to an intense game. Michael can’t wait to play you! Classic Game Night is coming up Friday, November 11 from 6 to 7:30 pm. Wind Up Here will also have chess available and be teaching Acey Deucey, a variation of Backgammon. For more information contact Wind Up Here at (360) 943-9045.

News around town

Free parking Friday

Please notify your customers, friends and neighbors, there is free parking this Friday, November 11! Veterans Day, honor and remember our nation’s veterans. Veterans Day is a City of Olympia recognized holiday.

Upcoming! Downtown for the Holidays on November 27!

Sunday, November 27, noon to 4:30 pm.

Downtown for the Holidays is a day filled with fun and entertainment. Most activities are centered in and about Sylvester Park. Brought to you by the Olympia Downtown Association through donations from downtown businesses, sponsors and individuals. Sponsored by the Parking Business Improvement Area (PBIA). Bring your family and enjoy the day!

SCHEDULE

Noon to 2:30 pm – Free horse-drawn wagon rides with Mrs Claus! – Sylvester Park
Noon to 2:30 pm – Free electric trolley rides for the family – Washington St and Legion Way
Noon to 2:30 pm and 3:30 to 5 pm – Visit and photos with Santa in the lobby of the Olympian Hotel by photographer Cortney Kelley Photography.
Noon to 5 pm – Gingerbread Holiday Competition – Located in the Urban Onion Ballroom in the Olympian Hotel. Organized by South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.
1 to 2:30 pm – First Christian Church Chime Choir – Olympian Hotel lobby, second floor.
1 to 2:30 pm - Masterworks singers from Masterworks Choral Ensemble – Corner of 5th Ave and Capitol Way.
3 pm - Holiday Parade – On Capitol Way from Olympia Farmers Market to Sylvester Park.
4 pm - Olympia Highlanders Pipes & Drums – Sylvester Park and Legion Way.
4 pm - Singing Christmas Tree performance by Capital Playhouse’s Kids in Koncert – Legion Way next to Sylvester Park.
4:30 pm - Tree lighting ceremony – Sylvester Park

DECEMBER FESTIVITIES
Three Saturdays before Christmas Eve.

Noon to 4 pm
Visits and photo with Santa at Cortney Kelley Photography, 418 Washington St.
Carolers singing throughout downtown.

For more information on Downtown for the Holidays, contact the Olympia Downtown Association at (360) 357-8948 or odaevent@tss.net.

Business tips

Business survival tips for a tight economy

Watch what the big boys are doing. They have big dollars to spend on marketing and monitoring the market place. For instance, consider all the value meals that have been developed by the restaurant industry, all of which are targeted at budget conscious consumers. Another strategy the big players in the market are utilizing is to cooperatively market. For instance, if you buy a meal at some restaurants, you get free DVDs, toys or other added values. Consider what you can do to make customers feel they are getting more for their money.

More business survival tips for a tight economy.

Five ways to attract new customers

Tweet special offers or advice daily via Twitter. Sprinkles Cupcakes is just one business that encourages customers in its stores and on its website to follow the company on Twitter. Every few days, the company sends out messages such as “Celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day! The first 50 people to whisper “rich” at each Sprinkles receive a free dark chocolate cupcake.” That gets people into the shop – and most times they buy another cupcake and a drink.

Copyright 2011. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold’s Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com.

More ways to attract new customers.

What can be learned from a mouse with big ears

Green is good. The floats [at Disneyland] are all battery-powered. The fireworks are launched with compressed air, not explosive charges. The trains are bio-diesel and burn the oil from the park’s restaurants. Currently, 80 percent of the 1.3 pounds of trash that each guest produces per day is recycled.

Copyright 2011. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold’s Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com.

More business tips from Mickey Mouse.

Always Safe & Lock - Owners Jeffrey Trinin & Owen O'Keefe

State of the art locksmith and security solutions. We specialize in the supply and installation of high quality card access systems, surveillance camera systems (Closed Circuit Television, CCTV), burglar security alarms and handicapped door operators.

Always Safe & Lock is featured on itsyourolympia.com. Are you a PBIA ratepayer? Fill out your bio and you could be featured here next!

Upcoming community events

Monstrous Treats & Treasure
October 31, 2:30 to 5:30 pm

Presented by Mixx96.1, UglyDoll, Wind Up Here, Pignite, Einmaleins and the PBIA (Parking Business Improvement Area).

For a list of participating businesses visit http://downtownolympia.com/event/monstrous-treats-and-treasures-promotion/.

Book group discussion
November 3, 7 pm

Join Fireside Bookstore for a book group discussion on Thursday, November 3 at 7 pm. The National Book Award winner, Just Kids by Patti Smith is the title to be discussed. For more information call (360) 352-4006.

First Friday
November 4, 5 to 8 pm

It’s time to start thinking about chocolate for our First Friday in November. Theme: EVERYTHING CHOCOLATE! Featuring guest vendors and samples.

First Friday is November 4. Come downtown, stores are open late until 8. Remember, parking is free downtown after 5 pm. Come downtown and shop local!

Click to open pdf file of poster.

Click to open pdf file of bag stuffer.

For a list of participating businesses: http://downtownolympia.com/event/first-friday-in-november/.

Wine and cheese reception at Matter Gallery
November 4, 5 to 8 pm

Please join Matter Gallery for a wine and cheese reception as Boucante World Traveler unveils his latest body of work.Friday, November 4, 5 to 8 pm at Matter Gallery, 113 5th Ave SW.

Click to enlarge image.

Radiance Herbs & Massage presents using flower essences
November 5, 10 am to 4 pm

Flower essences are liquid, potentized plant preparations which convey a distinct imprint of a specific flower and are similar in action to homeopathy. The remedies are designed to help a person transform emotions, attitudes and patterns of behavior which can hinder our full development potential. They are effective for a variety of challenges including depression, childhood abuse trauma, anxiety, nightmares and bedwetting in children, stress and are very effective in augmenting psychotherapy of any kind. Everyone can benefit and can use them safely and effectively to promote healing. We will explore what flower essences are and what they do, how they are made, how to choose and combine them to achieve best results for your clients or patients.

Instructor: Kanaychowa Layman. Kanaychowa is a holistic health practitioner and uses many modalities including Plant Spirit Medicine, flower essence therapy and spiritual counseling and techniques such as soul retrieval, journeying, sweatlodge and ritual and ceremony to help people bring themselves to wholeness. She has been working in Olympia for more than 15 years.

Cost: $75 total ($25 registration fee)
To register: Email kanaychowa@netzero.com
Class will be held at Radiance Herbs and Massage.

Four young adult authors to read at Orca Books
November 5, 4 pm

Stages on Pages is a touring group of young adult writers who write about the arts.

Stasia Kehoe, Tara Kelly, Jessica Martinez and Louise Spiegler will be reading and discussing their novels, as well as talking about the connections between dance, drama, music and literature.

Come enjoy a young adult celebration of books and performance!

This event is free and open to the public.

As always, the events are free and open to the public. All events are at Orca Books, 509 4th Ave E in downtown Olympia. For more information call (360) 352-0123 or visit www.orcabooks.com.

News around town

Downtown for the Holidays

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, NOON to 4:30 pm

Downtown for the Holidays is a day filled with fun and entertainment. Most activities are centered in and around Sylvester Park. Brought to you by the Olympia Downtown Association through donations from downtown businesses and individuals. Sponsored by the Parking Business Improvement Area (PBIA).

Bring your family and enjoy the day!

Holiday Parade is now accepting parade entries. Deadline is Monday, November 14. Find entry forms here: http://downtownolympia.com/event/downtown-for-the-holidays/.

SCHEDULE

Noon to 2:30 pm: Free horse-drawn wagon rides with Mrs. Claus! – Sylvester Park

Noon to 2:30 pm: Free Electric Trolley rides for the family – Washington St & Legion Way

Noon to 2:30 pm and 3:30 to 5 pm: Visit and photos with Santa in the lobby of the Olympian Hotel by photographer Cortney Kelley Photography

Noon to 5 pm: Gingerbread Holiday Competition – Located in the Urban Onion Ballroom in the Olympian Hotel. Organized by South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.

1 pm to 2:30 pm: First Christian Church Chime Choir – Olympian Hotel lobby second floor

3 pm: Holiday Parade – On Capitol Way from Olympia Farmers Market to Sylvester Park

4 pm: Olympia Highlanders Pipes & Drums – Sylvester Park & Legion Way

4 pm: Singing Christmas Tree performance by Capital Playhouse’s Kids in Koncert – Legion Way next to Sylvester Park

4:30 pm: Tree Lighting Ceremony – Sylvester Park

DECEMBER FESTIVITIES

Three Saturdays before Christmas Eve.

Noon to 4 pm

Visits & photo with Santa at Cortney Kelley Photography, 418 Washington Street.

Carolers singing throughout downtown.

For more information contact: Vida Zvirzdys-Farler – Event & Volunteer Coordinator at the Olympia Downtown Association, (360) 357-8948 or odaevent@tss.net.

Prediabetes—Olympia’s hidden health challenge

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the Olympia Downtown YMCA wants residents of Olympia to be aware of their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes – and preventative steps they can take today to reduce that risk. Currently, nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes and a staggering 79 million people have prediabetes, a condition where blood glucose is elevated, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.

As one of the nation’s leading nonprofits dedicated to strengthening community through healthy living, the Olympia Downtown Y is urging residents of Olympia to assess their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by visiting YMCA.net/diabetes-prevention. Individuals can learn how background and lifestyle choices help determine the ultimate risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

To learn more about the Olympia Downtown Y’s Healthy Living Programs please contact Lloyd Moore at (360) 918-0257.

Business Tips

Business survival tips for a tight economy

Analyze your customers. Take a close look at your customer segments, and make sure you understand why they purchase from you. Segmenting can be done in several ways. For instance, you can use volume of sales; type of customer, such as purchase location (retail/wholesale/internet); type of buyer (commercial/government/personal); or by buyer demographics (educated/family status/residence location).

Then you can analyze your various segments to determine what product/service features are important when customers make purchase decisions, which segment provides the best margins and/or greatest volume for your business and other identifying features.

More business survival tips for a tight economy.

What can be learned from a mouse with big ears

Know the facts. What is the ration of adults to kids at any given moment in the park [Disneyland]? Believe it or not, there are four adults for every kid. I would have never guessed that. This has big ramifications: Disneyland can’t just be a place for kids since kids are only 20 percent of the customers.

Copyright 2011. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold’s Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com.

More business tips from Mickey Mouse.