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

Sweetheart Sale at VUE
Now through the end of February

Come get a sweet deal at VUE Vision Uniquely Experienced during February. Announcing the Sweetheart Sale! You purchase frames and lenses and your sweetheart gets their frame for FREE (up to $250 maximum value). The free frame must also include lens purchase and both pairs are to be ordered before the end of February. This offer may not be combined with other discounts. Visit VUE at 116 5th Ave, SE in downtown Olympia and at vueolympia.com.

Mardi Gras Fundraiser
February 18, 8 pm

Come support youth empowerment, violence prevention and crime victims’ services. Enjoy great BBQ, a no host bar (21+) and experience some amazing blues!

$35 advance tickets (www.brownpapertickets.com)
$50 includes BBQ buffet.

Gang initiative conversation
February 21, 8 am

You are invited to a gang initiative conversation with Gail Gosney of the Juvenile Justice Coalition on Tuesday, February 21 at 8 am at the New Caldonia Atrium.

News around town

Capital Lakefair theme for 2012

Capital Lakefair is in the process of planning for 2012. The dates for Lakefair this year will be Wednesday, July 18 through Sunday, July 22. The theme this year is Swing with Lakefair. Lakefair is celebrating their 55th anniversary. They invite downtown businesses to participate in using their theme in your business locations during the festival week. For more information visit www.lakefair.org.

Harlequin Productions announces a new board member

Harlequin Productions is pleased to announce the appointment of new board member Robert B. Haase.

“We are honored to welcome Bob Haase to our board, as we move forward with our goals and initiatives for our 2012 season,” said Scot Whitney, Managing Artistic Director. “He brings with him invaluable expertise and a wide range of talents and accomplishments that will undoubtedly be an asset to our organization. We look forward to working with him.”

Haase brings over 25 years of marketing and advertising experience, as well as a genuine interest in the performing arts to Harlequin. Haase previously served as president of the board at The Washington Center for Performing Arts and has spent the last decade as a national speaker and seminar presenter.

“Harlequin is a real treasure and a solid component of the greater Olympia area arts community,” said Haase. “I’m honored to have been asked to serve on their board and be a part of their future success.”

The Haase family has been in the Olympia area for the last 100 years. Bob is the son of Robert L. Haase, (who is retired from the State Auditor’s office) and Violet Haase and is the father of three daughters, Ashley, 23; Sara, 20 and Holly, 16.

Harlequin Productions is a professional, nonprofit 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, photos or to schedule an interview, please contact: Jen Jenkins, Operations Manager, at (360) 705-3250 ext 103 or jen@harlequinproductions.org.

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

Pile driving to end in mid-February

Dear residents, owners and occupants:

Loud noise associated with a construction project near East Bay will continue for several more weeks. The LOTT Clean Water Alliance is working on needed improvements at the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant in downtown Olympia. The project involves construction of two new primary sedimentation basins on the west side of Jefferson Street NE just north of Olympia/Thurston Avenue.

Beginning in mid-November, pile driving began to support the foundation for the new basins. That work was followed immediately by the driving of sheet piles to isolate the area where excavation will take place. The pile driving activity was originally anticipated to be complete by the end of January; however, the snow storm delayed work and underground obstructions have slowed progress. To catch up, the contractor has extended their work hours until 6 pm some evenings, and is working Monday through Saturday until the pile driving work is complete. Currently, it is anticipated that pile driving will be completed by February 18.

There are two additional periods of pile driving anticipated as part of the project, each two to four weeks in duration, one tentatively scheduled for late spring and another this summer. Other construction impacts will include increased truck traffic in the area to remove excavated soil and to accommodate construction deliveries during the project duration. The overall project is expected to be complete by early 2014.

We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the construction noise. Your patience has been greatly appreciated as we complete this necessary work. If you have questions or concerns regarding the construction activity, please contact LOTT’s Construction Manager, Michelle Barnett at michellebarnett@lottcleanwater.org or (360) 528-5709. For general questions, please feel free to contact me at lisadennis-perez@lottcleanwater.org or (360) 528-5719.

Sincerely,

Lisa Dennis-Perez
Public Communications Manager

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.

Business tips

Business survival tips for a tight economy

Take the opportunity to do some of the things you never seem to have time to do when business is booming. Engage in some strategic planning and/or market analysis to identify your best options for the future. Spruce up the business, or update employee manuals. Do some research on your competition. Build relationships with former and existing customers. Make good use of the time, and you’ll be ready to face the future.

For help or more information on remaining competitive during challenging economic times, consult with your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Source: Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Center

More business survival tips for a tight economy.

Sharp Design Hair Studio - Owner Wynee Sharp

Hair salon providing cuts, color, texture and styling services.

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

Upcoming community events

SafePlace Take Heart shopping night benefit at New Caldonia
February 9, 5 to 7:30 pm

Bonaventure invites you to join them in support of SafePlace at their Take Heart event. They are trying something a little different this time. On Thursday evening Bonaventure hosts their shopping night from 5 to 7:30 pm with 10% of the proceeds donated to SafePlace. Bonaventure invites all their shoppers to make a wish list at Bonaventure and the Olympia Wine Tasting Bar and leave it with them. Step two extends the event so your sweetie, parents or children can purchase a Valentine’s gift for you from Friday morning until Tuesday evening AND 10% of those purchases will also be donated to SafePlace.

Enjoy nibbles and wine, shopping with friends or make a wish list and send your sweetie in to purchase what you desire from February 10 to February 14. Please join Bonaventure and Olympia Wine Tasting Bar and make this a VERY successful event for SafePlace!

Hungry for the Arts fundraiser
February 9, 5 to 9 pm

Feed the community by supporting GRuB! Feed your spirit by enjoying great wine and art with friends!

Join GRuB at the second annual Hungry for the Arts fundraiser hosted by Washington State Senator Rosemary McAuliffe, Olympia City Councilmember Jeannine Roe and friends. Thursday, February 9 from 5 to 9 pm at the Heritage Room at Capitol Lake (604 Water St SW in downtown Olympia). Local artists will be selling their wearable and garden works: Hats, purses, jewelry, textiles, clothing and garden sculptures. Local wineries will be on hand sampling and selling their wines. There will be two raffles featuring great local goods and services. $20 per person – tickets include entry, eight wine tasting and gourmet appetizers. Extra wine tastings available for $1 each. For tickets or more information about the event, contact GRuB at (360) 753-5522 or go to www.goodgrub.org.

Unleash your sensuality
February 12, 11 am to 5 pm

Unleash your sensuality!

Here’s a different and special way to celebrate Valentine’s  Day: focusing on learning more about feminism, relationships, sexual health and well being, how our  bodies change over time, and loving YOU!

A fabulous, first-time event for single or attached women over the age of 18!

Join Motion in Balance Studio for incredible food, to learn how a modern relationship can look and feel, movement focusing  on fun and staying mobile, belly dance instruction (we’ll learn how to use a veil), what your fingerprints say about your relationships/sexuality, massage instruction. We will move, eat,  share, laugh and play.

The Unleash Your Sensuality Team  includes:

• Janet L. O’Connell of Pure Romance by Janet
• Jessica Jensen,  Jessica Jensen Law
• Rachel Friedman, Owner and Certified GYROTONIC Trainer at Motion in Balance Studio
• Laurie Owen,  Lauriean Healing Massage
• Marla Barrett Massage, specializing in Oncology Massage
• Christine Gullrajani, Owner/Hand Analyst at Christine Gulrajani-  Success is in Your Hands
• Kashani Berube, Director of Mas-Uda Middle Eastern Dancers
• Dr, Marnie Frisch, Whole Health Naturopathy

WHEN: February 12, 11 am to 5 pm. Wine and cheese party and raffle to follow!

WHERE: Motion in Balance Studio, 219 Legion Way SW,  Suite 203 – A, in downtown Olympia

COST: Only $30 per person. Tickets are limited – Call now!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rachel Friedman
rachel@motioninbalance.biz
(360) 556-2619 for tickets
http://unleashyoursensuality.com/

Sweetheart Sale at VUE
Now through the end of February

Come get a sweet deal at VUE Vision Uniquely Experienced during February. Announcing the Sweetheart Sale! You purchase frames and lenses and your sweetheart gets their frame for FREE (up to $250 maximum value). The free frame must also include lens purchase and both pairs are to be ordered before the end of February. This offer may not be combined with other discounts. Visit VUE at 116 5th Ave, SE in downtown Olympia and at vueolympia.com.

News around town

Arts Walk registration deadline coming up February 10

Just three weeks left to sign up for Arts Walk! 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.

Surprise your loved one for Valentine’s Day – Put the name of your sweetie on Percival Landing

Declare your love for your sweetie by putting their name on Percival Landing! Contributions are still being accepted for the Percival Landing Railing project. Names of contributors will be sandblasted into the stainless steel railing plate – donation levels are $50, $100, $500, $1000. Take a romantic walk along the new Percival Landing, check out the names already there and pick up a donation form! You can also visit www.olympiawa.gov/percival-railing to download a donation form or call Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation at (360) 753-8380 for more information.

Business tips

Business survival tips for a tight economy

Refinance. Check into potential debt refinancing options to determine if there are lower interest rates or other options available.

More business survival tips for a tight economy.

Customers will pay more (if you treat them well)

Customer service is THE most important part of your business. Many businesses spend a lot of money worrying about their product quality or their advertising or their building or their systems and resources. And all that’s great…except…those are not the most important things to your customer. Customer service is the most important thing to your customer. People want to be treated well. They want a ‘human’ interaction. The quality of this interaction is more important than your facility, than your price and even than your quality.

The customer service experience is KING!

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).

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.

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.

Intercity Transit, Thurston County’s public transportation agency, provides frequent transit serves to and from the Capitol Campus and many other state offices in the region. Express bus service, park and ride lots, vanpool and carpool serves are available for longer distance commuters. The transit provider also hooks up with Amtrak train service at Centennial Station and connects with other public transportation systems in the Puget Sound region, including Sound (Seattle), Pierce (Tacoma), Mason (Shelton) and Grays Harbor (Aberdeen) transit systems.

Free shuttle downtown parking

The popular downtown shuttle service, known as Dash, provides frequent service throughout the 2012 legislative session as well as throughout the year. The service was established six years ago to enhance access to and from destinations in downtown Olympia and the state Capitol Campus while easing parking and congestion issues, especially apparent during the busy legislative session.

The shuttle service is provided on four brightly colored, 30-foot coach vehicles, operates weekdays every 12 to 15 minutes between 7 am and 6 pm (service frequency varies slightly based on the time of day; service runs weekdays every 12 minutes from 9 am to 5 pm and every 15 minutes 7 to 9 am and 5 to 6 pm). The Dash shuttle provides easy-to-use travel for people working, shopping, visiting, recreating or living in downtown Olympia. It routes along numerous satellite parking lots, including those on the Capitol Campus (at the southern end of the shuttle route) and at the Market District (at the northern end of the route).

“Our downtown businesses love Dash,” states Connie Lorenz, Executive Director of the Olympia Downtown Association. “The service helps state workers and legislators and makes it easy for people to pop downtown for lunch or to run errands without having to mess with parking.”

The service is a small part of the transportation arsenal Intercity Transit provides to South Sound travelers. Other award-winning services of the nationally recognized system include:

• a fixed-route transit system with 15-minute frequency along the area’s major corridors in Lacey, Tumwater and Olympia (Martin Way, Capitol Way, Capitol Blvd, Harrison Ave, Deschutes Pkwy)
• express service between Olympia, Lacey and Tacoma
• vanpool and rideshare services
• specialized van transportation programs
• individualized travel planning support

Transit routes

Intercity Transit operates 15-minute bus service along main corridors in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater. This makes transit convenient and reliable for thousands of riders using the system every day.

Along with the Dash shuttle, three other Intercity Transit routes operate on Capitol Way traveling past the Capitol Campus. Routes 12, 13 and 68 together provide service every 15 minutes and serve many state offices, including Labor and Industries, the Department of Health, the Edna Lucille Goodrich Building, Point Plaza West, Point Plaza East and Tumwater Square.

Parking is available on the west side of Capitol Lake along Deschutes Parkway. Bus service along this corridor on routes 43 and 44 runs every 15 minutes and connects commuters to downtown Olympia and west Olympia destinations including the Thurston County Courthouse, South Puget Sound Community College and the Westfield Mall.

The Olympia Transit Center in downtown Olympia is the transit system’s largest hub, where rides can make connections to 22 different routes serving destinations traveling to and from Tumwater, Lacey, West Olympia and Yelm. Commuters may also connect there with neighboring Pierce, Grays Harbor and Mason Transit systems. Intercity Transit provides 15,000 rides each weekday. A total of 460 bus departures occur every weekday just from the downtown Olympia Transit Center.

Service between Lacey and Olympia is available every 15 minutes on routes 62A and 62B, operating along Martin Way. Several other routes also offer a high level of service ot the area.

Four commuter express routes travel past the Capitol Campus and through downtown Olympia. Express bus service travels to and from Tacoma and connect with other transit services for transportation to Seattle and beyond.

Regular fares apply on routes except the Dash shuttle which is free. Local service costs $1 per ride and $2 for an all-day pass. Service to Tacoma or beyond cost a bit more.

Pass programs

Intercity Transit administers five pass programs. The State Agency Rider (STAR) Pass program enables state workers, legislators and session staff unlimited Intercity Trasnit use and requires no payment at the farebox. Intercity Trasnit also coordinates similar free-ride contracted pass programs for Thurston County employees, students of The Evergreen State College, South Puget Sound Community College and Saint Martin’s University.

More than bus travel

Five regional park and ride lots are served by Intercity Transit. These lots are used to catch one’s transit trip, carpool or vanpool and include Martin Way just off I-5 in Lacey, the Amtrak Centennial Station on Yelm Highway, the SR 512 and I-5 interchange at Laewood, and the Lakewood and Tacoma Dome stations. A new park and ride is under construction near Marvin Road just off I-5.

Vanpool/carpool partnering is available to people interested in sharing their commute. Intercity Transit staff matches commuters according to their work schedules and travel needs. Call (360) 786-8800 or visit intercitytransit.com or RideshareOnline.com.

Intercity Transit works with about 150 employment sites to support active transportation options for thousands of area employees. Many of these sites provide employee incentives and support as part of their commute trip reduction efforts.

More information

Intercity Transit provides one-on-one individualized trip planning, travel training for new bus riders and online interactive transit planning to help make use of its services easy and stress free. Google Maps online trip planning service and real-time arrival information through OneBusAway.org are available at www.intercitytransit.com along with schedules, route maps, pass programs and other information. The system’s Transit Guide provides information about Intercity Transit’s 24 bus routes and other transportation services. Guides are available at local Timberland Libraries, most area Safeway stores, at the Capitol Campus Visitor Information Center and at most large employment sites.

Information is available by calling customer service at (360) 786-1881 or (800) 287-6348, or visiting www.intercitytransit.com. Customer service is open weekdays, 6:30 am to 7 pm and on weekends from 9 am to 7 pm.

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

– 68% of consumers say they will pay more for a product/service if they feel like they are getting a better customer service experience. – Harris Interactive, Consumer Experience Impact Report, 2011

This is interesting for several reasons, here are three:

1) Many times we think that we need to drop our price or price match a competitor to get a customer’s business. This just isn’t true. Dropping a price (or even quoting a price too quickly) is a cop out. What we should focus on is providing the best customer service experience possible.

2) 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.

3) Customer service is THE most important part of your business. Many businesses spend a lot of money worrying about their product quality or their advertising or their building or their systems and resources. And all that’s great…except…those are not the most important things to your customer. Customer service is the most important thing to your customer. People want to be treated well. They want a ‘human’ interaction. The quality of this interaction is more important than your facility, than your price and even than your quality.

The customer service experience is KING!

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Sir Winston Churchill

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

Have a much greater focus on the customer experience and do everything you can to ensure that all of your systems, processes, programs, policies, initiatives and procedures have one end in mind: to strengthen your focus on the customer experience.

Everything you decide to do in the coming year, from a strategic, operational or budgeting perspective, must revolve around this one resolution: Putting our customers at the very top of our priority list … and keeping our customers at the top of the list.

2. 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.

3. 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.

“A lot of people notice when you succeed, but they don’t see what it takes to get there.” – Dawn Staley, WNBA basketball player

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

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