iNFORMER News April '09
President's Comments
In the words of Yogi Berra, “It’s deja vu all over again.” Unfortunately what I’m referring to is no comic matter. It was just last May that I lamented to you about the cancellation of the 2008 salmon fishing season and the very limited rockfish season. So here we are a year later, faced with the same prospects, except we may have a very short sport salmon season. Not a pretty picture, indeed. I know we all understand the impact of limited fishing has on our local community. It’s a clear example of the trickle down theory that affects not only the fisherman, but local restaurants, B&Bs, motels, RV parks and so many more businesses. Coupled with the current economic climate and you have the ingredients for a dismal summer tourist season.
But my intent is not to write about doom and gloom but to share some information with you about our local fishing industry and tourism that I believe is truly inspiring.
Only a few months old, the non-profit Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers has already enrolled over 170 members who are committed to representing “…North Coast fishermen’s historic and ongoing right to sport fish along the Northern California coast; advocate reasonable and rational sport fishing seasons and regulations; educate our members and the general public about the economic and cultural contributions of sport fishing to our local economies; and promote sustainable stewardship of the resource.” That’s a mouthful of a mission statement but makes a lot of sense. The decline in our local fishing industry didn’t happen overnight, and it will take a long time to recover. But clearly HASA is in it for the long haul. They are currently focused on six areas of interest:
More good news is that Humboldt County is positioning itself as an ideal road trip destination. Visitor bureaus across the state are actually increasing their advertising budgets this summer. With gas prices down and money tight, more tourists are taking road trips. Tony Smithers and his great staff at the Humboldt County Convention & Visitors Bureau continue to aggressively market our local area to ensure more of those road trips end here. Plus Trinidad will be very visible in this year’s edition of the Redwood Coast Map & Travel Guide. Your Chamber Board authorized a special advertisement to be included on the Trinidad page in the Travel Guide. It’s a great ad that compliments the beautiful pictures of Trinidad.
Locally, your Chamber is gearing up for the 52nd Fish Festival on June 21st. We are planning a special focus on fishing in Trinidad, with special events and contests emphasizing our local fishing industry. And as we did last season, the Chamber Board has agreed to donate a portion of the Fish Festival profits to sponsor a special advertising campaign to highlight the great fishing still available here in Trinidad. As I said last year, it may not be the fishing season we all want, but we intend to make the best of what remains and ensure that fishing fans around the state and across the nation know that Trinidad is the place to be this summer for fishing on the North coast.
Have a Great Month
Richard Johnson
677-3173
In the words of Yogi Berra, “It’s deja vu all over again.” Unfortunately what I’m referring to is no comic matter. It was just last May that I lamented to you about the cancellation of the 2008 salmon fishing season and the very limited rockfish season. So here we are a year later, faced with the same prospects, except we may have a very short sport salmon season. Not a pretty picture, indeed. I know we all understand the impact of limited fishing has on our local community. It’s a clear example of the trickle down theory that affects not only the fisherman, but local restaurants, B&Bs, motels, RV parks and so many more businesses. Coupled with the current economic climate and you have the ingredients for a dismal summer tourist season.
But my intent is not to write about doom and gloom but to share some information with you about our local fishing industry and tourism that I believe is truly inspiring.
Only a few months old, the non-profit Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers has already enrolled over 170 members who are committed to representing “…North Coast fishermen’s historic and ongoing right to sport fish along the Northern California coast; advocate reasonable and rational sport fishing seasons and regulations; educate our members and the general public about the economic and cultural contributions of sport fishing to our local economies; and promote sustainable stewardship of the resource.” That’s a mouthful of a mission statement but makes a lot of sense. The decline in our local fishing industry didn’t happen overnight, and it will take a long time to recover. But clearly HASA is in it for the long haul. They are currently focused on six areas of interest:
- Salmon Seasons (representing local fishing interests at decision making entities such as the Pacific Fisheries Management Council)
- MLPA (Marine Life Protection Act) and the impact to rockfish
- Ships to Reefs (a program working with the California Ships to Reefs (CSTR) organization in an effort to create an artificial reef by sinking retired ships west of Humboldt Bay)
- Wave Energy
- Public Education and Awareness
- Better Science for decision making about fishing seasons and fish stocks
More good news is that Humboldt County is positioning itself as an ideal road trip destination. Visitor bureaus across the state are actually increasing their advertising budgets this summer. With gas prices down and money tight, more tourists are taking road trips. Tony Smithers and his great staff at the Humboldt County Convention & Visitors Bureau continue to aggressively market our local area to ensure more of those road trips end here. Plus Trinidad will be very visible in this year’s edition of the Redwood Coast Map & Travel Guide. Your Chamber Board authorized a special advertisement to be included on the Trinidad page in the Travel Guide. It’s a great ad that compliments the beautiful pictures of Trinidad.
Locally, your Chamber is gearing up for the 52nd Fish Festival on June 21st. We are planning a special focus on fishing in Trinidad, with special events and contests emphasizing our local fishing industry. And as we did last season, the Chamber Board has agreed to donate a portion of the Fish Festival profits to sponsor a special advertising campaign to highlight the great fishing still available here in Trinidad. As I said last year, it may not be the fishing season we all want, but we intend to make the best of what remains and ensure that fishing fans around the state and across the nation know that Trinidad is the place to be this summer for fishing on the North coast.
Have a Great Month
Richard Johnson
677-3173
iNFORMER News - Page 2
Monthly Dinner Meeting – Tuesday, April 21st Presentation followed by dinner
Back by Popular Demand
We are thrilled to have the McHaney Family Band as our guests for our April dinner meeting. This family is extremely talented and you won't want to miss a single musical note! The McHaney Family Band consists of four children: Carson (11) , Westin (11), Zhanna (10), and Kristina (9) and Patty and Steve are the happy parents! They are playing at the California State Bluegrass Festival for a week in June in Grass Valley. They have performed at the Humboldt County Fair, two of the boys played in the All County Honors Orchestra recently, and they have been singing as a group since they were "old enough to sing!" The two boys have been playing instruments since they were about 3.
Happy hour and a snack will still start at 6:00 as usual, presentation at 6:30, followed by dinner at 7:15. Please plan on joining us with dinner served by the great folks of Catch Cafe. Dinner price is $17.50 per person.
Please make your dinner reservations by the Sunday before.
Happy hour and a snack will still start at 6:00 as usual, presentation at 6:30, followed by dinner at 7:15. Please plan on joining us with dinner served by the great folks of Catch Cafe. Dinner price is $17.50 per person.
Please make your dinner reservations by the Sunday before.
Call 677-1610
Calendar Of Up-Coming Events
April 21st - Monthly Chamber Dinner Meeting
April 28th – Monthly Chamber Board Meeting
April 4th – Third Annual North Coast Garden Event
April 11th – Easter Egg Hunt
June 21st – 52nd Annual Fish Festival
April 4th - North Coast Garden Event: Special day in Trinidad! The Third Annual North Coast Garden event will fill the city with special events, tours, wine tasting, seminars and much more. "This event benefits two wonderful organizations, the Trinidad Civic Club and the Patrick’s Point Garden Club." Venders, speakers, raffels and more - Trinidad Town Hall and Trinidad School. There's a Native Garden Tour at the new Museum at noon and Trinidad Art Reception at Ned's. Trinidad from 9-5p. For more information,
NorthCoastGardening.com
NorthCoastGardening.com
April 11th – Easter Egg Hunt: We need volunteers to color and decorate eggs. Pick eggs up at Murphy's Deli. Behind Murphy's from 11-noon. For more information,
Call 834-8720
Call 834-8720
If you or your organization would like to advertise your special event, we're glad to add it to our Calendar of Up-coming Events. For more information,
Call 677-1610
Simple & Effective Ways to Promote
We can help! Use our Chamber Blogletter & Newsletter. We will post your event in our iNFORMER News Blog, and we can include your flyer in our monthly newsletter. Our blog and newsletter are sent to all of our Chamber members as well as other Chambers in the Northern California area. Many people subscribe to our blog to receive up-to-the-minute news and information.
Upcoming Scholarships
With graduation season just around the corner, we want remind everyone that applications for the Chamber Academic Excellence Awards are now being accepted. These scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who attended Trinidad or Big Lagoon elementary schools and intend to pursue a 4 year academic program. Application materials and requirements are available by calling 677-1610.
iNFORMER News - Page 3
We’re Looking for a Few Good Men and Women
This summer will be the first full season that our new chamber office will be open for business. We would like to have the office open as many hours as possible to support visitors to our area, especially on weekends and holidays. Since we do not have the staff to keep the office open as much as we would like to, we are looking for volunteers to contribute a few hours each week to help us with this effort.
Executive Director Dori Fulk and Vice President Guia Hiegert are putting together an “office open” schedule and are looking for volunteers. It will be loads of fun; you will meet some interesting people and help represent our beautiful area to visitors and locals alike. We will be able to offer loads of information, supply maps and brochures and most importantly provide that personal touch to make our visitors feel right at home. And Dori and Guia will have everything organized for you, so you can relax and enjoy talking to our visitors. So volunteer today! If you can contribute even a few hours to help staff the office,
please contact Dori at 677-1610.
This summer will be the first full season that our new chamber office will be open for business. We would like to have the office open as many hours as possible to support visitors to our area, especially on weekends and holidays. Since we do not have the staff to keep the office open as much as we would like to, we are looking for volunteers to contribute a few hours each week to help us with this effort.
Executive Director Dori Fulk and Vice President Guia Hiegert are putting together an “office open” schedule and are looking for volunteers. It will be loads of fun; you will meet some interesting people and help represent our beautiful area to visitors and locals alike. We will be able to offer loads of information, supply maps and brochures and most importantly provide that personal touch to make our visitors feel right at home. And Dori and Guia will have everything organized for you, so you can relax and enjoy talking to our visitors. So volunteer today! If you can contribute even a few hours to help staff the office,
please contact Dori at 677-1610.
Notary Services Now Available in Trinidad
Now there’s no need to leave Trinidad if you need the services of a Notary. Robin Frazer, Trinidad’s Assistant City Clerk, wants to remind everyone that she is now a certified California Notary Public. Robin is available at the City Office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 AM to 2 PM, or by appointment. And as a special bonus offer to Chamber members, all notary services are 50% off until June 1st. Thanks Robin. (Services offered are provided by a private citizen and not connected with the City of Trinidad.) She can be reached at,
677-0223 or 599-8537.
Now there’s no need to leave Trinidad if you need the services of a Notary. Robin Frazer, Trinidad’s Assistant City Clerk, wants to remind everyone that she is now a certified California Notary Public. Robin is available at the City Office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 AM to 2 PM, or by appointment. And as a special bonus offer to Chamber members, all notary services are 50% off until June 1st. Thanks Robin. (Services offered are provided by a private citizen and not connected with the City of Trinidad.) She can be reached at,
677-0223 or 599-8537.
George Herd Named Chamber’s 2009 Citizen of the Year!
Congratulations to George Herd. “Thank you for your service to our community.”
Thank You for Your 2009 Membership
Get your 2009 membership window decal from Dori, if you missed it in your mail. Proudly display it as a symbol of your support for our Chamber and demonstrate to your friends and visitors that you support our community in a very active way.
Vocational Scholarships Available
Reminder – Vocational Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted.
Here’s your chance to acquire new business skills.
The Chamber is now accepting applications for our annual Vocational Scholarship program. Two scholarships in the amount of $500 each will be available and may be used for College, Vocational School, or Vocational Training Programs. Chamber members (at least 2 years membership) and their children are eligible.
In addition to our Chamber’s Academic Excellence Scholarships awarded to high school seniors who pursue a 4 year academic degree, we recognize that some students pursue vocational academic paths at community colleges or in vocational training programs. And adults may decide to return to school for advanced degrees or training in a new field; or just brush up on old skills to help run their business more effectively.
It’s simple to apply, so don’t delay! For additional information and an application,
It’s simple to apply, so don’t delay! For additional information and an application,
Call 677-1610
Get Linked Up!
If you haven’t already been linked from our Chamber’s Web site to your own Member site, now is the time to do it. Our Web site has a new look, with lots of exciting features that will attract both local and distant viewers. Linking will help your search rankings too! We have thousands of visitors looking at our site every month.
With advertising costs increasing, getting maximum benefit from Web based advertising and exposure is critical. Or if you sponsor or support a nonbusiness or non-profit organization that would benefit from linking the Chamber Web site and yours, we now have the “in-house” ability to do it quickly and easily. Don’t delay, use this Chamber service now.
Labels: april, blog, newsletter
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