The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, for the 2nd year, sponsored a fund raising effort for its operations by cruising around Puget Sound aboard Jack Miller's converted trawler the Baltic Sea. More than 46 members bought tickets for the event Sept. 19.

Executive Director of WestSide Baby, Nancy Woodland said, "The Cruise for Commerce is the one fundraising event the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce does all year. We partner up with the amazing Jack Miller who donates his boat for us to bring members and friends of the Chamber out. We raise funds to build up the infrastructure behind the office and all of the systems that keep it running. We hope it provides the networking in a relaxed and fun atmosphere for folks to come together all in support of the West Seattle business community."

Miller whose family owns Husky Deli was both the gracious host and Captain for the cruise that began under sunny skies in the Duwamish River where the boat is moored, out into Elliott Bay, where the group encountered noisy sea lions on a buoy, south to the Lowman Beach area, seeing paddle boarders, ferries, sailboats and a jet skier, back north as the sun began to set, and then near the middle of the Bay, Miller, an experienced boater, paused so those aboard could see the full Harvest moon rise behind the Seattle skyline. The effect was mesmerizing.

Then the boat was moved to be just off shore from Seattle's newest attraction, the Great Wheel slowly passing by the now lit skyline and finally, under spreading moonlight back home to West Seattle.

Food was supplied by Patricia Carow of Blue Willow Catering and beer was donated by Elliott Bay Brew Pub.

Jessica Lee, co-owner of the soon to open Fast Signs on 35th SW won the raffle for a week at the Iron Springs resort. Other prizes included wine from SOZO Wines, and from the Port of Seattle, an evening at the World Trade Center in Seattle.