The Best of Whidbey From schools to services, people & places, look inside to see your vote results.
Realtor finds talk is key to business success By JIM LARSEN | News-Times EDITOr
Gerry Oliver isn’t much of a joiner, but he’s a talker, and that’s how he runs his real estate business. “I get out and talk to everyone,” said Oliver, voted Oak Harbor’s “Best Businessman” this year, after two consecutive years of winning “Best Realtor” honors. “I run my business face-to-face,” he added. “It’s almost a lost art.” Oliver’s is one of the best known faces in town, which gives Go Realty, which he co-owns with his wife Cindy, an advantage. He was basically raised in his mother’s Bargain Center furniture store, he graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1995, and he started in the real estate business with Rick Chapman. He belongs to the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, but other than that he prefers one-on-one talking to attending meetings. Oliver is a familiar face on Oak Harbor High School’s Wildcat TV,
where Shane Evans does the playby-play for football and basketball games and Oliver provides the color commentary. “I love sports, I love watching the kids grow,” he said. One of his favorite TV gigs was the Roller Derby contest covered by the high school TV crew in the Roller Barn. “That was a blast,” he said, “but I had to study. Danger Ali gave me some good material to cover,” referring to one of the roller girls. Most recently, Oliver is known for sticking his neck out in support of the controversial one-way conversion of Pioneer Way, the city’s historic downtown. He moved his business there just before construction started. Months later, the pavement ends just in front of his business, housed in offices that once served as a bank (Everett Trust) and law offices (Christon Skinner). “The road stops at ‘Go’,” Oliver said with a laugh. But customers still find him on the dirt street at
Jim Larsen/ Whidbey News-Times
Gerry Oliver discusses “Go Realty” at his desk, in an office once occupied by bankers and lawyers. Construction is hampering traffic on Pioneer Way, but Oliver said people still find his Go Realty office. He moved his business there to show his support for the controversial downtown makeover project.
the corner of Dock and Pioneer, the paving of which is held up due to the discovery of Indian bones during
See Realtor, page 5
Networking helps beat the ‘scary’ out of business By JIM LARSEN | News-Times EDITOr
Jim Larsen/ Whidbey News-Times
“Everything worth doing starts with being scared.” Those words from Whidbey Island insurance legend Hank Koetje are framed and hang on the office wall of Shelli Trumbull, who just over a year ago started her own business, Cascade Insurance Agency, LLC. She worked for the Koetje Agency in Oak Harbor for 18 years before it was sold and both the Koetje brothers, Hank and Al, found themselves out of the business for the first time since 1948. Trumbull, too, left when the new company took over. “It was a very, very scary step,” she said from her comfortable office chair in a building near Red Apple
Shelli Trumbull sits at her desk at Cascade Insurance Agency in Coupeville. Despite starting her business during the Great Recession, she’s enjoyed success through networking.
grocery on South Main in Coupeville. “I chose to leave. My husband (Brad) said, ‘if you don’t do it now you’ll never do it.’”
Trumbull had wanted her own business for 25 years and she knew the insurance business inside out. But the Great Recession was in full swing. “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done,” Trumbull admitted, echoing Hank Koetje’s framed works. She couldn’t even talk to her old clients for one year due to a non-compete agreement, so she was starting from scratch. After finding a space to lease in Coupeville, Trumbell hired an as-
Published as a supplement to the
sistant, licensed customer service agent Kyla Garden, and started her new business the only way she knew would work — by networking. She joined the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Coupeville Boosters Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Gifts from the Heart food bank and Central Whidbey Little League, to name a few. Her community boosting efforts are evident even before entering her office. A pink toilet sits in the yard outside, a fundraising effort by the parents of the CVHS Class of 2012.
See Networking, page 5
Page 2
Best of Whidbey | Saturday, July 23, 2011
We’d Like To Make One More Nomination For‘‘The Best Of Whidbey.’’
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
contents Pg. 1 Realtor finds talk is key to business success Pg. 1 Networking helps beat the “scary� out of business. Pg. 3 The Best of Whidbey: 2011 on-line survey results Pg. 7 Fort Nugent has something for everyone Pg. 8 Watchdawgs Grooming named top dog Pg. 10 Island passengers love their shuttle driver Pg. 13 It’s Van-tastic: Thrive wins best gym and trainer
Whidbey Furniture We’re Glad You Like Us!
Thanks, We like you too!
Thanks to you, we are celebrating 63 years of business in Oak Harbor with local ownership.
Our Customers.
Your patronage and confidence over the years has made it possible for us to be Whidbey’s Best Furniture Store and Mattress Center.
25,000 sq. ft. Showroom
Whidbey Furniture www.wibank.com
Celebrating 63 Years of Business 4& 1JPOFFS 8BZ t 0BL )BSCPS t t www.whidbeyfurniture.com
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Saturday, July 23, 2011 | Best of Whidbey
Page 3
Best of Whidbey | staff Publisher: Marcia Van Dyke Editors: Jim Larsen & Jessie Stensland Design & Layout: Katie McVicker & Michelle Wolfensparger Words & Images: Justin Burnett, Jim Larsen, Katie McVicker, Jim Waller, & Nathan Whalen
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Marketing Manager: Jolie Woods Marketing: Sarah Williams Marketing Art: Rebecca Collins, Ginny Tomasko & Leslie Vance Production Manager: Michelle Wolfensparger Selection Committee: Whidbey Islanders who logged on to cast more than 1,000 web ballots for their choice of the "Best" Whidbey Island businesses, services, places & people. Thanks!
Additional copies of this publication, subscriptions to the newspaper, and advertising information can be obtained by contacting: WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES
360-675-6611 PO Box 1200 107 S. Main Street, Ste. E101 Coupeville, WA 98239
Thank You,
Whidbey Island, for voting for us.
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Best of Whidbey | Saturday, July 23, 2011
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Say hello to “The Best”
The Best Food, Fun, People and Places found on Whidbey, as voted upon by the readers of the Whidbey News-Times.
Night & day life people Bar/Tavern Toby’s Tavern Flyers Restaurant & Brewery Oak Harbor Tavern
Place to Dance Element Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant Off the Hook
Community Volunteer
Johnny Bull Dog Mid-Life Crisis Stranded Dogs
Place to Take a Date
Businessman
Applebee’s Flyers Restaurant & Brewery China City
Asian Menu China City 123 Thai Tokyo Stop
Bakery Safeway Yummies Eats & Treats Knead and Feed
BBQ Restaurant BBQ Joint Sho’ Nuff BBQ Flyers Restaurant & Brewery
Best Burger Flyers Restaurant & Brewery Zorba’s Restaurant Toby’s Tavern
Businesswoman
Blue Fox Drive-In Whidbey Bounce House Oak Bowl
Place to Work
Elected Official
NAS Whidbey Island Whidbey General Hospital Whidbey Island Bank
Mayor Jim Slowik Mayor Nancy Conard Councilman Scott Dudley
Best Place to Hear Live Music
Coach
Frasers Gourmet Hideaway Christopher’s On Whidbey Gordon’s On Blueberry Hill
Jill Johnson, OH Chamber of Commerce Gerry Oliver Angel Almeyda
Gerry Oliver - Go Realty Darin Cook - Cook Wealth Management Les Bense - Oak Tree Antiques Shelli Trumbull Cascade Insurance Carla Dozier - Carla’s Shear Inspiration Lynn Bankowsky Alaska USA Mortgage
Romantic Dinner Spot
Shannon Holcomb Mike Engle Ramone Villafor
Jim Slowik Scott Dudley Jill Johnson
All Sports Pub & Eatery Oak Harbor Tavern Toby’s Tavern
Flyers Restaurant & Brewery Oak Harbor Tavern Off The Hook
Appetizers
Community Leader
Local Band/ Musician/Dj
Entertainment for Kids
Blogger
Amy Hanhold Shelli Trumbull Brian Jones
Place to Play Pool
Frasers Gourmet Hideaway Flyers Restaurant & Brewery Blue Fox Drive-In
Firefighter
Tyson Van Dam, Thrive Ramon Villaflor Jay Turner
Local Artist Perry Woodfin Margaret Livermore Lylia Lillis
Local Author Deb Lund Elizabeth George Richard Haines
Cheap Meal Taco Bell McDonald’s Wendy’s
Clam Chowder Seabolt’s Smokehouse Toby’s Tavern Christopher’s On Whidbey
Coffee Shop/ Stand Police Officer Lt. John Dyer Detective Tony Slowik Detective Sgt. Teri Gardner
Teacher Woody Bakke, OHHS Darren McCoy, OHHS Mary Heck, CHS
restaurants & Food All-Around Dining Flyers Restaurant & Brewery Island Café Applebee’s
Whidbey Coffee Starbucks Honeymoon Bay Coffee
Deli Safeway bayleaf Albertsons
Dessert Frasers Gourmet Hideaway Dairy Queen Baskin Robbins
Drive-Thru Restaurant Wendy’s McDonalds Taco Bell
Family Restaurant Island Café Applebee’s Flyers Restaurant & Brewery
Fish & Chips Seabolt’s Smokehouse Toby’s Tavern Flyers Restaurant & Brewery
Happy Hour Applebee’s China City Flyers Restaurant & Brewery
Margarita El Cazador Mexican Grill & Cantina Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant Esteban’s Mexican Restaurant
Mexican Menu El Cazador Mexican Grill & Cantina Esteban’s Mexican Restaurant Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant
New Restaurant Ciao Front Street Bar & Grill Artie’s Restaurant
Pizza Restaurant Papa Murphy’s Pizza Pizza Factory Papa John’s Pizza
Continued on page 6
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Realtor from pg. 1 construction. Undeterred, he remains supportive of the project. “I focus on the positives,� Oliver said. “It’s going to be a beautiful downtown for all the merchants. If somebody’s going to drop millions in your front yard, how bad can it be?� The real estate business has struggled during the Great Recession, but Oliver said Go Realty is growing. As the managing broker, he oversees three brokers, Tom King, Jacki Wyatt and Chas Webster. “It’s steady, we’re busy, but I don’t want to sound brash,� Oliver said. “To sell a house the key is the right marketing strategy, you’ve got to be really aggressive out there.� Oliver hopes the foreclosure sales and short sales are nearing an end, which will give real estate prices a boost. Until then, he will still have a loyal customer base. “A lot of my business is all local, friends and family,� he said. “I’m from here. The local connection is one of the true keys to my success.� With two kids, Jordan, 16, and Macy, 5, Oliver will stay active in
Saturday, July 23, 2011 | Best of Whidbey coaching and commentating on sports for years to come, and he’ll never give up his love of talking to people, and not just about his business. “There’s only so much you can talk about in real estate,� he said. “You’ve got to talk about the community as well.� He’ll never run out of things to talk about, which is the secret of his success with Go Realty.
Jim Larsen/ Whidbey News-Times
Construction is hampering traffic on Pioneer Way, but Oliver said people still find his Go Realty office. He moved his business there to show his support for the controversial downtown makeover project.
Thanks you for voting
Meghan Sams
For your confidence and support
Christon Skinner
Skinner & Saar 791 SE Barrington Drive 0BL )BSCPS r www.skinnerlaw.net
THANK YOU for voting us Best Automotive Repair & Best Oil Change!
U N E M N A C I X E BEST M BEST MARGAR AND ITA Congratulations to our very own
ASE Certified Mechanics
AUTO ELECTRIC, L.L.C.
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PACO RODRIGUEZ VOTED BEST BARTENDER
OF
Martin’s
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RO
2 Years in a row!!
Open the door and the foyer has a nicely stacked pyramid of canned food to be donated to Gifts from the Heart. As a CVHS Class of 1985 graduate, Trumbull was already well known in the community. Her first experience in business came in high school during a mentoring experience with Cecil Stuurman’s insurance company. The community greeted her new business with open arms. And she’s still busy with school activities. Her daughter Alexis, 16, is entering her senior year in high school. Her son Aaron, 14, played first base and pitcher on Coupeville’s state champion Little League team this spring and will be a freshman in the fall. All those ties helped Trumbull find success quickly with her own insurance business. She laughed when noting that her business won the Oak Harbor Chamber’s Business of the Month honor recently, even though it’s not in Oak Harbor. And this is the second consecutive year she has won “Best Businesswoman� honors in the Whidbey News-Times’ Best of Whidbey contest, based on reader votes. “That’s pretty cool,� she said. Trumbull advises people to be careful before starting a business in the present economy. She had plenty of experience and a product that’s necessary, regardless of the economy. “Everybody has to have it,� she said, including auto, home and business owners. “Different people in the community have really helped us out.� Trumbull enjoys the fact that hers is not an 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. job. Customers call her whenever they have a problem, from a banged-up auto to a charred house to a burglarized home. “People aren’t sure what to do so they call me,� she said. “It’s not so scary for people.� And if there’s one thing Trumbull knows, scary is just something to be overcome on the way to success.
THANK YOU
Law OfďŹ ces of
780 SE Pioneer Way • Oak Harbor 360.240.8492 • mysalonlux@gmail.com
Networking from pg. 1
TP WN
Best Stylist
Page 5
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Page 6
Best of Whidbey | Saturday, July 23, 2011
restaurants & Food Salsa Esteban’s Mexican Restaurant Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant El Cazador Mexican Grill & Cantina
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Steak Restaurant Frasers Gourmet Hideaway Flyers Restaurant & Brewery Applebee’s
shopping Antique Store Shady Ladies Antiques Oak Tree Antiques Salmagundi Farms
Seafood Restaurant
Auto Dealership
Seabolts Smokehouse Frasers Gourmet Hideaway Toby’s Tavern
Oak Harbor Motors Slowik Motors
Book Store
Clothing Store
Wind & Tide Bookshop His Place Book Rack
Maurices Casual House La Moda Rocks
Building/ Remodeling Supply Store
Flooring Store
Home Depot Ace Hardware Frontier Building Supply
for voting
us
Best Family Restaurant 32070 SR 20
Oak Harbor, WA 98277 (360) 279-2838
Come in today! Thank you for voting Cascade Insurance Agency, LLC for Whidbey Island’s
BEST INSURANCE AGENCY 2nd Year in a row!
Furniture Store
Home Depot Floors Plus NW Granite & Flooring
Flower Shop Greenhouse Florist & Nursery
'".*-: %*/*/( t #3&",'"45 t -6/$) t %*//&3
Thank You
Coupeville Florist Safeway
Thank You for voting us
2011 BEST TRANSPORTATION and
Congratulations to BOB MORRISION for being voted
2011 BEST BUS or TAXI DRIVER Book Online or Call 360.679.4003 / 877.679.4003
www.seatacshuttle.com
Whidbey Furniture Furniture World Habitat For Humanity
Gift Store Island Drug Rusty Chandelier Brenda’s Front Porch
Continued on page 12
Thanks! To the more than 1,000 readers who logged on to whidbeynewstimes.com and voted for “The Best� Come to the place where we’ll treat you right!
Your Locally Owned
Still haven’t
150 SE Pioneer Way
seen the light?
360-679-3533
)0.& t "650 t #64*/&44 - * ' & t ) & " -5 ) Thank you for voting me
THE BEST OF WHIDBEY. It has been a pleasure serving our community for the last 13 years.
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www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Saturday, July 23, 2011 | Best of Whidbey
Page 7
Fort Nugent has something for everyone By JIM WALLER | Staff reporter
City of Oak Harbor Parks Manager Hank Nydam said he can guess why Fort Nugent was named the top park in the Best of Whidbey voting: “It has something for every age.� The 40-acre park at 2075 SW Fort Nugent St. was completed in three phases, the first in 2000. Other upgrades came in 2000 and 2008. Nydam said there are no major changes planned for the future, though more open space may be added. The park was built by a combination of efforts from the city, county and school district. The
Jim Waller/ Whidbey News-Times
Fort Nugent Park draws hundreds of kids every day to its large playground.
BEST ACCOUNTANT and
BEST TAX PREPARER
city built and maintains the park, the county helped fund it and the school district owns some of the property and leases it to the city. Nydam said the area has “an interesting history.� It was first cleared by the Eelkema family with draw horses years ago. It was also once owned by a Dutch holding company, and the land was used to entice new Dutch settlers to North Whidbey. Nydam added that at one time the owner “ran turkeys on it.� Today the park’s appeal comes from its variety of offerings. The center piece is a huge, wooden play structure for the younger set built by volunteer labor and community donations. The park also features the largest collection on North Whidbey of fields for team sports. It has five soccer fields, two football/soccer fields and one baseball/football field. In addition, the park contains one full basketball court and two volleyball courts. One of the newest additions is an 18-hole disc golf course, which, according to Nydam, is rapidly growing in popularity.
Kathy Jones and the staff at JONES ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES Thank You for your Best Of Whidbey vote, trust and confidence.
Jim Waller/ Whidbey News-Times
Fort Nugent Park was voted “Best Park� by our online poll of Whidbey News-Times readers in this year’s Best of Whidbey contest.
It even spawned a site on the internet at www. whidbeyislanddiscgolf.com, for disc enthusiasts. Lovers of nature can enjoy Fort Nugent Park’s walking trails and a wetland area, and the park also holds a public art display. For the convenience of park users, the park has a concession stand and restrooms. The park opens at 6:30 a.m. each morning and, like all city parks, closes at 10 p.m.
Jim Waller/ Whidbey News-Times
A limestone sculpture in Fort Nugent Park was made in Kentucky. It’s supposed to represent a seedpod bursting to release sprouts and leaf forms.
T hank You! for recognizing the Coachman Inn for the “Best Customer Service� and “Best Lodging� in Oak Harbor. We appreciate your loyalty and business.
WE WORK HARDER FOR YOU. Our accounting and tax staff is the best anywhere! 1199 SE Dock St Oak Harbor, WA 98277 (360) 675-3030 Kathy@kjonesinc.com
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Page 8
Best of Whidbey | Saturday, July 23, 2011
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
WatchDawgs Grooming named top dog By Katie mcvicker | Staff reporter
North Whidbey resident Charity Laferriere probably receives more kisses during her workday than anyone else on the island or maybe even on the whole West Coast. Laferriere owns and single-handedly operates WatchDawgs Grooming & Boarding, and she treats her four-legged clients with respect and adoration. In turn, she’s lavished with wet, sloppy smooches all over her face, arms, legs and ankles. Laferriere opened WatchDawgs in February of 2008 and was quickly recognized as a jewel by animal lovers. Laferriere took first place in both the pet groomer and kennel categories in the 2011 Best of Whidbey competition. Laferriere was raised in Oak Harbor and got her start working for Heads to Tails grooming in 2006. When the company decided to go mobile, she decided to break out on her own. “I’ve always like animals but I couldn’t be a vet because I don’t like seeing them in pain,” Laferriere said. “I got the job with Heads to Tails, and I loved it.” Laferriere offers full-service grooming and boarding in her home. She said she knows how nervous animals can get when they go to larger, impersonal facilities and she wanted to do something different. “I try to create an in-home atmosphere,” Laferriere said. “I try to establish a personal bond with the dogs and the owners and give the dogs (and cats) a one-on-one experience.”
See groomer, pg. 9
Katie McVicker/ Whidbey News-Times
Pedro, a 5-year-old mutt, loves playing tennis-ball fetch with his owner, Charity Laferriere. Laferriere won Best of Whidbey for pet groomer and kennel services.
Thanks for voting us
TP WN
Best Hair Salon and
Best Salon/Spa
OF
RO 780 SE Pioneer Way • Oak Harbor 360.240.8492 • mysalonlux@gmail.com
Shady Ladies’
PET CENTER
Thank you for voting us
BEST PET STORE! We are proud to be Whidbey Island’s Favorite!
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•Antique & Vintage Furniture •Collectibles •Jewelry & Gifts Thanks for voting us
BEST ANTIQUES
(360) 679-1902 656 SE Bayshore Drive, Ste 5 (next to Drivers License Office)
Thanks
to everyone who voted Gerry Oliver for BEST BUSINESSMAN and BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT “With Gerry Oliver and his GO Realty Team you can expect Executive Service For All”
360-679-4646
740 SE Pioneer Way Oak Harbor, WA 98277
w w w.gowithgo.net
ʝʝ
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Saturday, July 23, 2011 | Best of Whidbey
groomer, from pg. 8
I try to establish a personal bond with the owners and give the dogs a one-on-one experience.
ʝʝ
As Laferriere works on an animal, she talks to it and coos soothing compliments into its ears. She said she’s known many of her clients for years and even has cute nicknames for them. In a lot of ways, WatchDawgs resembles more of a critter spa than a groomer/kennel. Laferriere offers haircuts, washes, teeth brushing, hair dye, nail trimming, nail painting and has a variety of specialty shampoos like anti-flea brands. She said she had one dog she would routinely give a braided mustache and pink mohawk and said she often does canine manicures using yellow or green polish for male dogs. “Some Navy wives will come in and it’s just them and the dogs at home and they want to give them a spa day,� Laferriere said. When it comes to boarding, Laferriere tries to give the animals the most comfortable experience she can. Though she does have traditional cages of all sizes for people who have trained their pooches to use them, Laferriere allows her adopted “K-9 kids� to have free roam of her house
Page 9
Charity Laferrriere, Best groomer and kennel
Katie McVicker/ Whidbey News-Times
WatchDawgs Grooming & Boarding owner Charity Laferriere brushes a chiweenie named Brutus while receiving plenty of kisses.
and fenced-off backyard. She said as long as the animals can behave themselves, she encourages them to cuddle in the living room, play ball and run around outside. She even takes the dogs for walks and sometimes treats them to movies or stories. Laferriere also said she doesn’t discriminate against more aggressive breeds. She said if a dog doesn’t get
Celebrating our 5th year in business and 5 straight years as the “Best of Whidbey�
along with the other animals, she’ll still make sure it gets out and about, but she’ll keep it safely separated. WatchDawgs is open from 10 a.m. until early evening Tuesday through Saturday for grooming by appointment, but Laferriere tries to be as flexible as possible for clients. Though she specializes in dogs, Laferriere is also equipped to groom
cats and said she’s even taken rabbits, ferrets and a guinea pig. “I try to take whoever calls and fit them in somewhere,� she said. Boarding is open year-round, and Laferriere boasts that she’ll take animals 24/7, 365 days a year. WatchDawgs Grooming & Boarding is located at 37737 Highway 20 in Oak Harbor. To set up a grooming or boarding appointment, call at 679-3760 or 672-4325. She can also be reached by email addresses: doggiekeeper@yahoo.com and charity@ doggiekeeper.com. Visit WatchDawgs at doggiekeeper.com or on Facebook.
7KDQN \RX :KLGEH\ for choosing Alaska USA Mortgage Company as the top mortgage company on Whidbey Island.
Thank you to all of our customers who have become part of our family.
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Oak Harbor 650 NE Midway Blvd., Suite 101 (360) 679-9755 (800) 813-1799 Fax: (360) 679-5655
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Page 10
Best of Whidbey | Saturday, July 23, 2011
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Island passengers love their shuttle driver Oak Harbor man goes the extra mile for his Whidbey customers By justin burnett | Staff reporter
By the time most people arrive at work, Oak Harbor resident Bob Morrison has already driven to Seattle, met and gabbed with a handful of people, and is preparing for the trip home with another vanload of travelers. By the time most people come back from lunch, those travelers are back at home on Whidbey Island and more than likely have a smile on their face and count Morrison as a new friend. For the 69-yearold, it’s all in a day’s work. “He’s probably our most personable driver and gets the most compliments,� Mike Lauver said, coowner of Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle & Charter. Whidbey News-Times readers appear to agree as they recently voted him number one in the “Bus or Taxi Driver� category of the newspaper’s 2011 Best of Whidbey competition. Morrison, a driver for the Oak Harbor-based shuttle service for the past four years, said he was
See driver, pg. 11
Justin Burnett/ Whidbey News-Times
Bob Morrison of Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle & Charter stands for photo at a stop in Coupeville. He was voted number one in the “Bus or Taxi Driver� category of the 2011 Best of Whidbey competition.
Thank You So Much for voting us
BEST FUNERAL CHAPEL!
Thank You
for your votes! We are proud to be part of this great community!
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driver, from pg. 10 totally surprised by the honor and confessed that he hadn’t known there was even a category for his profession. Morrison did say he has a theory about why he won, however. “My wife says I love to B.S.,” he said, with a laugh. Morrison is well known in the community. He spent 28 years in the Navy, most of which were served at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. His wife, Rosemary, is a former long-time city clerk in Oak Harbor and Morrison himself is a former one-term city councilman. During his four years in city politics, Morrison developed a reputation for good humor and as a sometimes peacemaker for what was often a lively council. “I was born positive,” Morrison said, though he joked that his personable nature didn’t win him any honors in
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www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Saturday, July 23, 2011 | Best of Whidbey
Page 11
You meet the greatest people. It’s probably one of the must fun jobs I’ve ever had. Bob Morrison, shuttle driver
the annual newspaper competition as an elected official. Morrison said he never had any big aspirations to be an airport shuttle driver, but rather fell into the job. He was on his way back from Mukilteo on the ferry when he ran into Bob Olson, a long-time shuttle driver. Olson, who now owns Whidbey Wild Bird in downtown Oak Harbor, told him the company had an opening and asked if he was interested. It turned out he was, and after a quick test drive, well, the rest is history. According to Lauver, the shuttle company has enjoyed growing success since it started in 2003. The business con-
tinues to grow and in 2010 it earned first place in the Best of Whidbey competition. One of the secrets to their success has been providing great customer service, Lauver said. Morrison’s great attitude has made him a natural fit in the company and one of their best drivers, he said. But if you ask Morrison, it’s easy to be personable when your day is filled with meeting new and friendly people, even if it is at 6 a.m. For an unplanned second career, he said he’s grateful it came along when it did. “You meet the greatest people,” Morrison said. “It’s probably one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had.”
Justin Burnett/ Whidbey News-Times
Bob Morrison of Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle & Charter unloads a passenger’s luggage. He was voted number one in the “Bus or Taxi Driver” category of the 2011 Best of Whidbey competition.
THANK YOU for Voting Us
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Page 12
Best of Whidbey | Saturday, July 23, 2011
shopping Grocery Store Safeway Albertson’s Saar’s Market Place
Gym/Fitness Center/ Yoga Center
Thrive Fitness Center North End Fitness Center Lotus
Jewelry Store Gerald’s Jewelry Jewelry Gallery Island Jeweler
New Store
Rusty Chandelier Far From Normal Salon Lux
Nursery/Plants
Greenhouse Florist & Nursery Mailliard’s Landing Nursery Home Depot
Pet Store
Island Pet Center Skagit Farmer’s Supply/ Country Store Whidbey Natural Pet
Pharmacy
Island Drug Rite Aid Pharmacy Walgreens
Thrift Store
Island Thrift WAIF My Father’s House Community Thrift Store
Tire Store
Les Schwab Tire Center Midway Tire & Muffler
Hardware Store Ace Hardware Home Depot Sebo’s
services Accountant
Kathy Jones John E. Kingma & Assoc., CPA Dale Offret, CPA
Attorney at Law Christon Skinner Molly McPherson Doug Saar
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Automotive Repair
Contractor/Builder Dry Cleaners
Bank
Customer Service Financial Planner
Martin’s Auto Electric Jack’s Auto Repair Pioneer Automotive Whidbey Island Bank Peoples Bank Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
P & L General Contractors Cascade Custom Homes and Design Yonkman Construction Coachman Inn Whidbey Island Bank Carla’s Shear Inspiration
Barbershop
Dave’s Midway Barbershop George’s Barbershop Ultimate Cuts
Barista
Hilary Carpenter, Whidbey Coffee Leah Norton, Whidbey Coffee Debbie Henderson Vescori, Prairie Perks
Whidbey Cleaners Dutch Maid Island Cleaners and Laundry Darin Cook, Cook Wealth Management Jeff Pleet, Edward Jones Scott Dudley, Edward Jones
T hank You & Congratulations Leah Norton & Hilary Carpenter
WHIDBEY COFFEEʼS BARISTAS ARE #1
Paco Rodriguez at El Cazador Mexican Grill and Cantina Chad Evans, Artie’s Restaurant Jamie Goodenough, Flyers Restaurant & Brewery Bob Morrison at Whidbey Seatac Shuttle Julius Henrichsen Kelly Sweet
Watch Dawgs Grooming & Boarding Freedom Kennel The Dogwood Pet Resort
Landscaping Business
3 Men and a Mower Pioneer Tree Service & Landscaping, Inc. Jason’s Lawncare
WHIDBEY COFFEE COMPANY (360) 331-8121 Office (800) 575-JAVA whidbeycoffee.com
Dentist
Dr. Gordon Keyes, DDS Dr. Wezeman, DDS Dr. Berner, DDS
Living Word Fellowship Southern Baptist Church Doctor St. Augustine’s Catholic Dr. Gabriel Barrio, MD Church Pediatric Association of Cleaning Service Whidbey Merrill’s Carpet Cleaning Dr. Jane Mays, MD Pediatric Association of A+ Cleaning Service Whidbey Margie’s Maids Dr. Jerald Sanders, MD, College/University Whidbey Community Skagit Valley College Physicians Brandman University Columbia College
Funeral Home
Burley Funeral Chapel Wallin Funeral Home Whidbey Memorial
Golf Course
Gallery Golf Course Whidbey Golf & Country Club Lam’s Links
Hair Salon Salon Lux Posh Salon Carla’s Shear Inspiration
Tyson VanDam, Thrive Fitness Todd Ritter Courtney Stewart, Thrive Fitness
Pet Groomer
Charity Laferriere, Watch Dawgs Grooming & Boarding Freedom Kennels Heather’s Pet Grooming
Place To Buy Gas
Safeway Skagit Farmer’s Supply/ Country Store am pm
Place To Buy Electronics Walmart Navy Exchange Radio Shack
Massage Therapist
Scottie’s Plumbing & Repair Bob Watt, Northwest Plumbing & Mechanical John Eaton, Whidbey Plumbing
Alaska USA Mortgage Company Banner Bank Guild Mortgage
Serendipity BBQ Joint bayleaf
Personal Trainer
Coachman Inn Best Western Harbor Plaza & Conference Center Candlewood Inn & Suites
Mortgage Lender
Caterer
Church
Kennel
Pam Aragon, Bayshore Chiropractic Sooz Konopik, The Seaside Spa And Salon Carolyn Brady
Bus/Taxi Driver
Dr. Dawn KeithMadeiros, Bayshore Chiropractic Bob Shelly, Island Chiropractic John Raymond, Whidbey Chiropractic
Shelli Trumbull, Cascade Insurance Agency Sue Blouin, Koetje Insurance Matt Iverson, Iverson Insurance
Lodging
Bartender
Chiropractor
Insurance Agent
Non Profit Organization
WAIF Big Brothers Big Sisters Habitat for Humanity of Island County
Oil Change
Martin’s Auto Electric Jiffy Lube Hilltop Texaco
Optometrist Dr. Chris Gaustad Whidbey Vision Care Dr. Kelly Larsen, Whidbey Vision Care Dr. Jeremy Wright, Whidbey Vision Care
Plumber
Transportation
Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle Island Transit Ault Field Taxi
Photographer Captured Moments Photography Reneé Giugliano Photography Oni Studio
Real Estate Agency
Coldwell Banker Koetje Real Estate Go Realty Windemere
Real Estate Agent Gerry Oliver, Go Realty Kathi Phillips Larry Keifer
Retirement Center
Regency On Whidbey Summer Hill Assisted Living Harbor Tower Village
Continued on page 14
www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Saturday, July 23, 2011 | Best of Whidbey
Page 13
It’s Van-tastic: Thrive wins best gym and trainer By NATHAN WHALEN | News-Times
For the second straight year, Oak Harbor’s Thrive Community Fitness has won several categories of the annual Best of Whidbey contest. For 2011, the readers of the Whidbey News-Times named the popular gym the best fitness center on Whidbey Island and trainer Tyson Van Dam was named best trainer. Thrive Community Fitness is located near the corner of Highway 20 and NE Seventh Avenue and has been open for three years. “It’s just a comfortable place for people to exercise,� managing owner Arik Dahlen said. Thrive Community Fitness center offers 45 cardio machines including treadmills, elliptical trainers and stair climbers on the gym’s first floor. The second floor houses free weights and circuit machines. The center also
offers a kids’ room and an array of classes ranging from yoga and pilates to spinning and Zumba. Thrive beat out North End Fitness Center and Lotus in the best gym/ fitness center/yoga center category. Dahlen is quick to point out the faith-based background of the gym. “The owners and many of the staff are Christian and that affects how we interact with the community,� Dahlen said, adding that full-time pastors are eligible for a free membership at Thrive. Thrive is part of company that was founded in 2002 in Duvall. Since that time, Thrive has expanded to eight locations throughout the Puget Sound area with the next closest one being in Anacortes. The Fidalgo Island city is where Van Dam got his start as a personal trainer. He started working at the Anacortes location in 2006 before
Jessie Stensland/ Whidbey News-Times
Tyson Van Dam was named best trainer and best coach in the Best of Whidbey contest.
See THRIVE, page 15
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Page 14
Best of Whidbey | Saturday, July 23, 2011 Tanning Salon
services
Desert Sun Whidbey Tropics J-Sun’s Tanning Salon
Salon/Spa Salon Lux Carla’s Shear Inspirations Posh Salon
Stylist
Tattoo Shop Aaron’s Tattoo Bayside Tattoo Thrasher-Tattoo
Meghan Sams, Salon Lux Deanne Luschi, Posh Salon Reghan Campbell, Salon Lux
Tax Preparer
Jones Accounting John E. Kingma, CPA H&R Block
www.whidbeynewstimes.com Title Company
Chicago Title Company Land Title Stewart Title
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Penn Cove Veterinary Clinic Dr. Anderson of Best Friends Dr. Mangiamelli
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Festival
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Jamiee Zook, Flyers Restaurant & Brewery Jodi Buschko, Front Street Grill, Coupeville Pier Johnson, Artie’s Restaurant
whidbey aspects Place To Take A Walk
BEST NEW STORE
Thank You
for choosing us as your favorite we appreciate your support!
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Deception Pass State Park Captain Whidbey Inn Best Western Harbor Plaza and Conference Center
Place To Go Camping
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Place To People Watch City Beach/ Windjammer Park Walmart Pioneer Way
View
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Crabbing Spot
Kettles Trails Ebey’s Trail City Beach
Birdwatching
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Thanks for Voting us
Best of Whidbey The last 4 years in a row, 2008, 2009, 2010 and again in 2011
#&45 0' 8)*%#&:
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Proudly serving Whidbey Island since 1958 And now adding Gerald’s grandson, Matt to our staff, 3 generations in Oak Harbor.
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www.whidbeynewstimes.com
Saturday, July 23, 2011 | Best of Whidbey
Page 15
THRIVE, from pg. 13 moving to Oak Harbor several years ago. Van Dam is an Oak Harbor High School graduate and he has a degree from the University of North Carolina Pembroke where he also played baseball. He is also the head baseball coach at Oak Harbor High School. In fact, he was also named best coach in the Best of Whidbey survey. Tyson credit the laid-back environment as a factor in his success as a trainer; he said staff avoids high-pressure sales. “I like seeing people excited,� Van Dam said about the clients that he trains. He bested fellow trainers Todd Ritter and Courtney Stewart in the Best of Whidbey contest. He works with clients one-on-one, providing fitness evaluations and developing a work-out plan to follow. He sees about 30-plus clients. His clients’ needs vary depending on their situation, whether it’s an athlete looking to get into shape for the coming season to someone who is trying to shed some weight. “It’s a personally catered plan,� Dahlen said. Even though people seek a trainer for different reasons and have different goals, Van Dam noted he had a client who lost 100 pounds in 10 months. He is also coordinating Thrive’s Boot Camp, which is a group workout session comprised of 15 to 25 people. He is starting a six-week session that will provide people another opportunity to improve their fitness level. Thrive Community Fitness is located at 945 NE Seventh Avenue in Oak Harbor. It’s hours are 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. For more information call, 675-2600.
DR. CHRIS GAUSTAD BEST OPTOMETRIST
Nathan Whalen/ Whidbey News-Times
Oak Harbor resident Heather Griffin rides an elliptical trainer at Thrive Community Fitness, which the readers of the Whidbey News-Times named best gym in the annual Best of Whidbey contest.
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