Starting a business can be a daunting task. There's paperwork to fill out, licenses to obtain and marketing plans... it can be overwhelming!
The good news is that you're not alone and there is help out there. One of the best places to go, especially when you're just getting started, is the Washington State Business Development Center. They have offices all over the state and our local office is located on the Grays Harbor College campus in Aberdeen.
Erik Stewart heads up the office at GHC and is a great resource if you need help shaping your business ideas, doing marketing research or writing a business plan. The services are completely free and easy to set up. Just email or call Erik and get moving on that business idea!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
This Thursday
OMG... did you know it's Groundhog Day Styx Day on Thursday? If I could break away from watching this video I would tell you about how I missed out on the pot of gold... but we all try the best we can to carry on!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Music Monday: Come Sail Away
Friday, January 27, 2012
Friday Five: A Bit of Harbor History
Anyone remember the book published by The Daily World back in 2001, On The Harbor: From Black Friday to Nirvana? It was a collection of 23 major news pieces throughout the history of Grays Harbor starting with the Black Friday fire of 1903 and ending with the Nirvana phenomenon. I always found the book interesting, because, hey, it's nice to know your hometown has some colorful, scandalous history and claims to fame. Anyhow, I saw the book on my parents' book shelf the other day and I couldn't resist grabbing it for a Grays Harbor history refresher.
I've plucked five of the most interesting stories from the book and highlighted them for you on this not-so-historical Friday. Consider this your Harbor history lesson.
5) Aberdeen's on fire! Literally. The town actually burned down 3 separate times between 1887 and 1903, with 1903's blaze being the notorious Black Friday Fire. As a result of that final fire, the city council finally adopted a building policy that only allowed for brick buildings. Thank goodness the brothels and saloons didn't have to risk fire after that fateful year! I find it slightly disturbing that the fire was only stopped because a man had buried a stash of dynamite in front of the local hospital and dug up the dynamite to blow up his house to slow the blaze. Who buries dynamite in front of a hospital?
4) I'm going to need a steamship.... in 17 days. No problem for the Grays Harbor Motorship Corporation! In 1918 GHMC was commissioned to build a 4,000 ton steam ship for WWI, and they completed the job in just 17 days using 24-hour labor. Did the ship ever make it to war? Not a chance; the war ended on 11/11/18 before the ship could ever make it to it's destination. Besides, they built it so fast, the wood started to dry out and the seams split, rendering it useless much quicker than other ships of it's kind.
3) Someone killed the Law. Laura Law, that is. Ah yes, Aberdeen's most sensational murder. In January 1940, 25 year old Laura Law, the wife of labor leader Dick Law, is found murdered in her living room, with her 3-year old son sleeping in the other room. The killer was never found, and controversy surrounds the who and why of the case. Some believe it had everything to do with her husband's wave-making in the labor community and his possible communist ties (communism in Grays Harbor!). Perhaps one of his enemies? Who would go that far?! I vote that someone keep looking into this case...there has to be an answer!
2) Crazy people existed, even in 1913. They just lived in the woods back then. Yep, John Turnow, the Wild Man of the Wynoochee is a notable, murderous harborite alright. When he was just 10, little Johnny T almost died from the black measels. While he pulled out of the sickness, he was never the same. He became quiet (and creepy), honing his marskman skills and spending extended time in the woods. As an adult he shot a dog, then his two nephews in 1911. He also (allegedly) shot a game warden and a deputy. He was finally killed in 1913 when a search party was able to locate him during their manhunt. They tied his corpse to a tree and took pictures. I'm glad our law enforcement doesn't do that anymore!
1) Oh, brothel. Yes, Aberdeen was once considered one of the nation's most "wide-open" cities. Brothels had an entire district to themselves! And the best part? Women ran them! Madams made good money- one notable madam even drove a purple convertible through town and another allegedly shot her pimp (you go girl! she was acquitted). One of Aberdeen's final madams made a good $150,000 for herself- and that was before 1930. The funniest part about it all? The social morays of shopping for women in these times: housewives shopped in the morning, businesswomen shopped in the afternoon and working girls shopped late afternoon. I'm still confused - aren't working girls kind of like businesswomen? Glad I'm not in that era- I'd get myself all mixed up!
So there; I hope you're a little bit more tuned in to the rich historical past of our little community. If not, go make some history of your own!
I've plucked five of the most interesting stories from the book and highlighted them for you on this not-so-historical Friday. Consider this your Harbor history lesson.
5) Aberdeen's on fire! Literally. The town actually burned down 3 separate times between 1887 and 1903, with 1903's blaze being the notorious Black Friday Fire. As a result of that final fire, the city council finally adopted a building policy that only allowed for brick buildings. Thank goodness the brothels and saloons didn't have to risk fire after that fateful year! I find it slightly disturbing that the fire was only stopped because a man had buried a stash of dynamite in front of the local hospital and dug up the dynamite to blow up his house to slow the blaze. Who buries dynamite in front of a hospital?
4) I'm going to need a steamship.... in 17 days. No problem for the Grays Harbor Motorship Corporation! In 1918 GHMC was commissioned to build a 4,000 ton steam ship for WWI, and they completed the job in just 17 days using 24-hour labor. Did the ship ever make it to war? Not a chance; the war ended on 11/11/18 before the ship could ever make it to it's destination. Besides, they built it so fast, the wood started to dry out and the seams split, rendering it useless much quicker than other ships of it's kind.
3) Someone killed the Law. Laura Law, that is. Ah yes, Aberdeen's most sensational murder. In January 1940, 25 year old Laura Law, the wife of labor leader Dick Law, is found murdered in her living room, with her 3-year old son sleeping in the other room. The killer was never found, and controversy surrounds the who and why of the case. Some believe it had everything to do with her husband's wave-making in the labor community and his possible communist ties (communism in Grays Harbor!). Perhaps one of his enemies? Who would go that far?! I vote that someone keep looking into this case...there has to be an answer!
2) Crazy people existed, even in 1913. They just lived in the woods back then. Yep, John Turnow, the Wild Man of the Wynoochee is a notable, murderous harborite alright. When he was just 10, little Johnny T almost died from the black measels. While he pulled out of the sickness, he was never the same. He became quiet (and creepy), honing his marskman skills and spending extended time in the woods. As an adult he shot a dog, then his two nephews in 1911. He also (allegedly) shot a game warden and a deputy. He was finally killed in 1913 when a search party was able to locate him during their manhunt. They tied his corpse to a tree and took pictures. I'm glad our law enforcement doesn't do that anymore!
1) Oh, brothel. Yes, Aberdeen was once considered one of the nation's most "wide-open" cities. Brothels had an entire district to themselves! And the best part? Women ran them! Madams made good money- one notable madam even drove a purple convertible through town and another allegedly shot her pimp (you go girl! she was acquitted). One of Aberdeen's final madams made a good $150,000 for herself- and that was before 1930. The funniest part about it all? The social morays of shopping for women in these times: housewives shopped in the morning, businesswomen shopped in the afternoon and working girls shopped late afternoon. I'm still confused - aren't working girls kind of like businesswomen? Glad I'm not in that era- I'd get myself all mixed up!
So there; I hope you're a little bit more tuned in to the rich historical past of our little community. If not, go make some history of your own!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Weekend activites to get you out and about!
Join Grays Harbor Idol host, Ashley this Friday night at 8PM in the Ocean Lounge at Quinault Beach Resort and Casino! The top 12 will be heating up the stage by performing 3 songs, and competing to win a prize package worth over $2,400!! Come out for a night of great entertainment, and cheer on your favorite! Audience response counts for 10% of the judges vote! 4 will be eliminated, 8 move on to compete next Friday night. The winner will be crowned on Friday, February 17th!
Anything going on Saturday night? Head on into Montesano and hit up The Cellar Club for Red Solo Cup night! There is a $10 suggested donation, where proceeds will go directly to Tabitha Kowal who is currently undergoing treatment for stage 4 cancer. Also, $1.00 of every beer sold will also go to Tabitha. The night will include red Solo Cups, sharpies, items up for auction, and an amazingly fun evening. Local musician Rich Travers will be on hand with live music as well! The Cellar Club opens at 4:00pm with the live music starting at 9:00pm. Meat and cheese trays will also be available for purchase.
Saturday evening join the St. Andrews
Relay for Life team for an evening of Basket Bingo! Win a round of
bingo and you'll get to select a basket provided by members of the
church. They have baskets themed with games, coffee, tools, and movies
just to name a few! The doors will open at 6PM with bingo starting at
6:30. Everyone is welcome to attend this fun event to have a good time
and help raise money for a great cause, to fight cancer! There is a
suggested donation of $5.00 per bingo card. St. Andrews is located on
the corner of 1st and G in Aberdeen right across from Bridges.
On The Cover
Sometimes I feel like our community is wrapped up in it's own little bubble of anonymity. We're so average that we fall off the rest of the world's radar. A hard working, blue collar community that struggles just to get through the daily grind and provide services for it's citizens. Off the grid, off the map, unnoticed and un-notable.
I'm ashamed that it usually takes a piece of published content to make me remember that our community has many attributes that make it stand out in a crowd. There are certain citizens, businesses, industries, accomplishments, environmental features and historical factoids that make Grays Harbor a unique place to call home. We should be thankful that these people, businesses and destinations reside in our community; without them GHC would very well just be a speck on the globe.
Most recently, the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Tall Ships were featured on the cover of MeetingsFocus West, a monthly publication of the conference & meetings industry that highlights facilities, group activities and hot new locations for meetings & events. As a member of the hospitality industry for 8 years, and the conference industry for 5 years, I'm familiar with this publication. It frequently uncovers and highlights big- city gems and little known outskirt venues. I never thought I'd see Grays Harbor in it, let alone on the cover. And you know what? The cover is astounding. It's a beautiful photograph.
Now, I doubt that it was taken on Grays Harbor ocean, but those are our tall ships! Our community's iconic symbol, one of our many claims to fame, has once again made our community stand out. I'm so proud to see my home and my industry married together in such a positive way.
You can read the full article here if you're interested in learning what group experiences are available with the Lady Washington & Hawaiian Chieftain.
Isn't it grand to see our community grace the cover of such a publication? It reminds me to be aware of all that sets us apart from other communities. Not that we're better; just unique in our own way. It makes me want to seek out and celebrate all that Grays Harbor offers instead of taking it for granted, or passing it by. And that's what this blog is about anyway - highlighting those wonderfully unique things that are the epitome of Grays Harbor.... without waiting for a national publication to do so first.
I'm ashamed that it usually takes a piece of published content to make me remember that our community has many attributes that make it stand out in a crowd. There are certain citizens, businesses, industries, accomplishments, environmental features and historical factoids that make Grays Harbor a unique place to call home. We should be thankful that these people, businesses and destinations reside in our community; without them GHC would very well just be a speck on the globe.
Most recently, the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Tall Ships were featured on the cover of MeetingsFocus West, a monthly publication of the conference & meetings industry that highlights facilities, group activities and hot new locations for meetings & events. As a member of the hospitality industry for 8 years, and the conference industry for 5 years, I'm familiar with this publication. It frequently uncovers and highlights big- city gems and little known outskirt venues. I never thought I'd see Grays Harbor in it, let alone on the cover. And you know what? The cover is astounding. It's a beautiful photograph.
Now, I doubt that it was taken on Grays Harbor ocean, but those are our tall ships! Our community's iconic symbol, one of our many claims to fame, has once again made our community stand out. I'm so proud to see my home and my industry married together in such a positive way.
You can read the full article here if you're interested in learning what group experiences are available with the Lady Washington & Hawaiian Chieftain.
Isn't it grand to see our community grace the cover of such a publication? It reminds me to be aware of all that sets us apart from other communities. Not that we're better; just unique in our own way. It makes me want to seek out and celebrate all that Grays Harbor offers instead of taking it for granted, or passing it by. And that's what this blog is about anyway - highlighting those wonderfully unique things that are the epitome of Grays Harbor.... without waiting for a national publication to do so first.
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