| Lynden Sheet Metal celebrating 70th anniversary | [07/29/2010] | Lynden Sheet Metal is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, having recently ensured a seamless transition to its next generation of local ownership.
Founded in 1940, Lynden Sheet Metal sells and services heating, air-conditioning, plumbing and refrigeration systems for residential and commercial clients. The company also is a leading retailer of gas fireplaces and provides metal fabrication and welding services.
Bob and Rose Crabtree became co-owners of Lynden Sheet Metal in 1977. The Crabtrees were sole owners from 2000 to this year, when they announced Bobbi and Cory Kreider, their daughter and son-in-law, had become co-owners.
"We consider being in business for 70 years a credit to all of Lynden Sheet Metal’s employees, past and present,” Rose Crabtree said. "Our reputation is due to the excellent service that they’ve given our customers over the years.”
Grateful for widespread community support, Lynden Sheet Metal contributes to many nonprofit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County, Relay for Life and Dollars for Scholars. The company recently installed and donated a fireplace for the new Hospice House in Bellingham.
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| Property tax deferral program available for fall taxes | [7/28/2010] | Homeowners on limited incomes can apply to defer paying their second half property taxes due Oct. 31 thanks to a state property tax deferral program.
The application deadline is Sept. 1. First-half taxes that were due April 30 must have been paid. Applicants must have had an annual household income of $57,000 or less in 2009, have owned the home for at least five years, use it as their primary residence and have sufficient equity. Deferred taxes cannot exceed 40 percent of equity.
The deferred taxes must be repaid, with interest, when the property is either sold or no longer used as the homeowner’s primary residence. The interest rate is 3 percent for 2010.
For more information, see the publication "Property Tax Deferral for Homeowners with Limited Income” online at dor.wa.gov.
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| WWU’s CEV presents “Strategies in Competitive Intelligence” workshops | [7/27/2010] | Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics’ Center for Economic Vitality (CEV) will present two free workshops for businesses on using competitive intelligence strategically to advance business goals.
Business owners and managers in Whatcom and Skagit counties are encouraged to attend the workshops, 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 4 at Whatcom Educational Credit Union in Ferndale or 8:30 to 10 a.m. Aug. 5 at Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham. The first workshop is sponsored by the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce and the city of Ferndale’s Economic Development Commission. The second is sponsored by the city of Bellingham, the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the AWB Institute.
Pre-registration is recommended by either calling the CEV at 360.733.4014 or e-mailing info@cevforbusiness.com.
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| Skagit Valley Food Co-op plans a sweet deli remodel | [7/26/2010] | The Skagit Valley Food Co-op in downtown Mount Vernon is expanding its award-winning deli menu to offer a variety of house-made organic ice cream flavors, milkshakes, malts, and sundaes, as well as fresh juice and smoothie options, and an expanded selection of loose leaf teas and bakery goods.
The deli remodel involves a new hot entrée, soup and salad bar, an Express Line register and re-design of the Co-op’s 1st Street entrance. The Co-op will lose a few tables for seating inside, but is adding outside seating along Washington Street.
The Co-op ice cream is made using organic milk from Organic Valley’s Northwest dairies. The juice bar will feature fresh, organic, raw fruit and veggie juices and smoothies, as well as a line of fine loose-leaf teas, providing exciting healthy new slurping and sipping options.
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| Whidbey Island prepares for annual Loganberry Festival | [07/23/2010] | Whidbey Island’s Historic Greenbank Farm is gearing up for its event of the year – the annual Loganberry Festival on July 24-25.
The event will feature fun and entertainment for all ages, including a children’s carnival area, pie-eating contests, story telling, poetry, food, Northwest wines and beer, arts and crafts booths and artist’s demonstrations.
Participating wineries: Mt. Baker Vineyards, Willis Hall, Cedargreen Cellars, Sorensen Cellars, Fairwinds Winery, Pasek Cellars, Lodmell, Spoiled Dog Winery, Blooms Winery, Holmes Harbor Cellars, Greenbank Cellars, Ott & Murphy Wines, Whidbey Island Winery, San Juan Vineyards and Comfort Estates.
Although the event is free, there will be a $5 (per car) parking fee.
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| Leeper’s Marine celebrates milestone | [7/22/2010] | Leeper’s Marine Inc., a family owned Bellingham business since 1985, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this summer.
Owned and operated by Larry and Renee Leeper, Leeper’s Marine also includes their son, technician Brandon Leeper.
Leeper’s Marine rebuilt its facility in the 1600 block of Valencia Street five years ago, adding a covered work area and making other improvements to better serve customers and protect their boats. It has taken steps over the years to prevent pollution and properly dispose of waste products. The business also is a longtime supporter of Mount Baker Youth Baseball and Mount Baker School District activities.
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| McKinstry acquires Bellingham’s BelAire Service as part of northward expansion | [07/22/2010] | Seattle-based McKinstry, a national leader in the development of building systems, announced this week that it acquired BelAire Service, a Bellingham-based company that provides commercial heating and air-conditioning services. The acquisition puts plans in motion for a North Sound McKinstry office that will serve the Everett-Bellingham corridor as well as Island and San Juan Counties. McKinstry is currently in the process of selecting a permanent location, which is expected to be operational by year’s end.
McKinstry is a full-service, design-build-operate-and-maintain firm specializing in consulting, construction, energy and facility services. Its facility management service provides a single point of accountability for all facility maintenance requirements.
The BelAire Service acquisition marks another step in McKinstry’s expansion plans. In June, the company announced its purchase of the Great Northern Railroad Building in Spokane, Wash., with plans to redevelop it into McKinstry’s Inland Northwest campus set to open in summer 2011.
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| Downtown Sounds brings music to Bellingham’s streets | [07/21/2010] | The Downtown Bellingham Partnership, which presents Downtown Sounds Summer Concerts sponsored by Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro in downtown Bellingham, is celebrating its sixth year in the Arts District on Bay Street, between Holly and West Champion streets.
These free, all-ages concerts (which kicked off July 14) offer music, dancing, food and live entertainment suitable for the whole family. The concerts continue from 5 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Aug. 11.
The 2010 Downtown Sounds is supported by generous community sponsors including: Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro, American Museum of Radio and Electricity, Bayou on Bay, Temple Bar, Mount Bakery, Rocket Donuts, Best Western Heritage Inn, WTA, Kulshan Cycles, Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Sanitary Service Co., Grand View Sign and Awning Company, Amjay Screen Printing, Towner Press Inc., Cascadia Weekly, Cascade Radio Group, Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Appliance Depot, Kulshan Community Land Trust, Slum Doctor Programme, RE Sources, Haggen, Home Depot, the Groove Merchant Northwest and the city of Bellingham.
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| Small businesses can seek disaster relief funds | [7/20/2010] | Non-farm businesses that suffered economic losses due to the freezing conditions and record-low temperatures between Oct. 10-13, 2009, now have access to financial relief through low-interest loans.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million for small agricultural cooperatives, private non-profit organizations of any size, and non-farm businesses to help meet working capital needs, such as financial obligations and operating expenses, which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.
Western Washington University’s Center for Economic Vitality and its Small Business Development Center can assist applicants with designing an application and recovery plan. The deadline to apply for these loans is Feb. 15, 2011.
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| June’s pending home sales, median prices down | [07/19/2010] | Not even the lowest interest rates in decades could entice wary house-hunters last month as home sales around Western and Central Washington remained sluggish with pending sales lagging year-ago levels and median prices down in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan and Island counties, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
The June report shows mixed news across a 21-county market area, with arrows going in both directions.
Statistics show pending sales of single-family homes and condominiums (combined) dropped 28 percent from a year ago but rose 5.8 percent from May. Year-to-date (through June), pending sales are up 12.4 percent compared to midyear 2009. Closed sales for June outgained the same month a year ago by 617 transactions (up 12 percent), and rose 8.9 percent from May’s total. The median price for last month’s completed transactions is down about 7 percent from 12 months ago.
County breakouts for single-family homes and condos in June:
Whatcom County had 222 closed sales with an average price of $274,988. The median price hit $238,500, a 10 percent drop from June 2009.
Skagit County had 123 closed sales with an average price of $278,556. The median price leveled off at $240,000, for a 2.44 decrease from June 2009.
San Juan County had 11 closed sales with an average price of $427,182. The median price dropped to $270,000 for a 28.95 decrease from June 2009.
Island County had 86 closed sales with an average price of $305,605. The median price hit $246,000 for a 5.67 percent drop from June 2009.
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| Bellingham waterfront planning effort moves forward | [07/16/2010] | City of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham have released a Preliminary Draft Master Plan on the Bellingham waterfront for community review. The document is posted online at www.portofbellingham.com and www.cob.org and will be available during an open house at 6 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Harbor Center Conference Room.
The plan describes the 220-acre waterfront redevelopment occurring gradually in five phases over the next 30 to 50 years. The document includes information about the potential parks and trails, development density, view corridors, building heights, multimodal transportation networks and project phasing over a long-range period.
Sometime in September, the port will submit the plan to the Bellingham Planning Department, which will launch a city process of review that will include hearings before the Bellingham Planning Commission and Bellingham City Council.
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| Bob Ferris joins RE Sources as executive director | [07/15/2010] | Bob Ferris, a nationally known conservationist and sustainability leader, is the new RE Sources executive director.
Ferris is a 20-year veteran in the environmental and sustainability communities contributing seminal work in areas ranging from wolf restoration and agricultural policy to renewable energy and economic revitalization. He has held senior or CEO positions at the Wildlife Habitat Council, Defenders of Wildlife, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Community Environmental Council, Yestermorrow Design/Build School and the Center for a New American Dream. He is also an accomplished writer with a book on natural building, numerous scientific and policy documents as well as dozens of opinion pieces in national and regional publications. Ferris holds degrees in environmental studies and biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz and zoology from San Jose State University.
Ferris' initial efforts will focus on refining the organization's emerging strategic plan to ensure emphasis on the most critical issues across the full spectrum of sustainability. He will also work with RE Sources managers on current programs – The RE Store, North Sound Baykeeper, education programs and the Sustainable Living Center – to make sure they operate at optimal levels and strengthen their contributions to Bellingham and the surrounding region.
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| McKenna speaks at City Club meeting | [7/14/2010] | Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna will be the speaker at the Bellingham City Club’s July 28 meeting. McKenna will discuss his reasons for joining with a dozen or so other state attorneys general in suing the federal government over the recently enacted healthcare legislation. This legislation, among other things, contains a so-called "individual mandate” requiring all individuals who can afford health-care insurance to purchase a minimally comprehensive policy or else face a financial penalty by the year 2016.
The program takes place at Northwood Hall, 3420 Northwest Avenue. A buffet lunch is served at noon; cost is $11 for members and $16 for non-members $16. Call 360.671.5394 for reservations.
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| FEMA releases Skagit County flood maps | [7/13/2010] | The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) produced the revised Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for Skagit County on July 1. The FEMA report includes flood hazard information for the entire geographic area of the county, including both incorporated and unincorporated areas.
The flood hazard information presented on the DFIRM includes Special Flood Hazard Areas, areas subject to inundation by the possible 100-year flood, Base Flood Elevations, and, if developed, regulatory floodways (areas that must be kept free of encroachment to allow a 100-year flood to be carried without significant increases in flood levels).
Skagit County, in coordination with FEMA, will hold a flood study review meeting to present the results of the study, discuss the information presented on the DFIRM and FIS report, and discuss the impact of the studies on Skagit County’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for comments and questions regarding the maps and report.
The community will have 90 days to review the DFIRM and FIS report.
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| Walton Beverage and Whatcom Community Foundation accepting applications for Pepsi Refresh Project in Whatcom, Skagit counties | [7/12/2010] | Local Pepsi distributor Walton Beverage is working with the Whatcom Community Foundation to give a total of $26,000 to local needs, all based on suggestions from the public.
Grant applications for nonprofits serving people in Whatcom or Skagit counties and working in the areas of education, health, the arts and culture, food and shelter, the planet (environment) and neighborhoods can be found on the Walton Beverage website www.waltonbeverage.com. Completed applications may be dropped in an entry box at any of the 12 The Markets, Cost Cutter or Food Pavilion stores in Bellingham, Blaine, Birch Bay, Lynden, Ferndale, Everson, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley and Mount Vernon.
Application deadline is July 15. Online voting begins in August for four grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. Winners will be announced in mid-September.
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| State taxable retail sales decline 2.9 percent during first quarter 2010 | [07/09/2010] | Overall taxable retail sales for the state of Washington declined 2.9 percent to $22.6 billion during the first quarter of 2010, the Department of Revenue reported yesterday.
Retail trade increased 1.9 percent to $10.2 billion over the first quarter of 2009. Retail trade is a subset of all taxable retail sales that includes retailers but excludes other industries such as services and construction.
Overall results continued to be held down by weakness in the construction sector, which was down 18.3 percent to $3.5 billion over year-earlier results. Sales by new and used car dealers were up 1.8 percent to $1.7 billion, while accommodations and food services sales were up 1.8 percent to $2.5 billion. Building materials, garden equipment and supplies sales were up 8.3 percent to $921 million.
In Northwest Washington, Whatcom County provided a bright spot with a modest 1.2 percent increases in its taxable retail sales. On the other end of the spectrum, Island Country reported a double-digit drop of 10.3 percent. Skagit County reported a drop of 4.9 percent, and San Juan County a 2.8 percent drop.
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| Inaugural sailing of new ferry Chetzemoka set for Aug. 29 | [07/08/2010] | The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) announced last week that the new 64-car ferry Chetzemoka will make its inaugural sailing between Whidbey Island and Port Townsend on Sunday, Aug. 29. The Chetzemoka is the first new Washington state ferry built in more than a decade.
WSF will host activities on Whidbey Island, in Port Townsend, and aboard the Chetzemoka on Aug. 29. It is anticipated that the Chetzemoka’s first full day of service on the Port Townsend/Keystone route will be Monday, Aug. 30.
WSF awarded the $65.5 million contract for construction of the Chetzemoka to Todd Pacific Shipyards of Seattle in December 2008. Beginning construction in January 2009, Todd worked with its subcontractors Everett Shipyard, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders and Jesse Engineering to meet an aggressive 18-month timeline to build this first vessel in the class of Kwa-di Tabil (64-car) Ferries.
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| Whatcom Women in Business accepting nominations for Professional Woman of the Year | [7/7/2010] | Whatcom Women in Business (WWIB) is accepting nominations for Professional Woman of the Year.
The deadline for submitting nominations is Aug. 1. Nominees should be an established business leader in her field, as well as an owner of a business or executive manager within an organization. She should exhibit strong business acumen, mentorship and inspire community involvement. Application forms are available online at www.wwib.org.
The 29th Annual Professional Woman of the Year awards banquet will take place Oct. 26 at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club.
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| Bellingham launches pilot program for same-day permits | [7/6/2010] | The city of Bellingham's Permit Center launched a pilot project July 1 to issue permits for simple, well-defined projects the same day that the application is received.
These permits, called "Subject-to-Field-Inspection” permits, will be issued over the counter while customers wait at the permit center while the application is processed.
By not requiring plan review, the fees are reduced and the inspectors determine code compliance in the field. Customers do need to know how to build according to the adopted building codes, and clarifying guidance for items such as dormers is provided as part of the pilot program.
Projects are not eligible for the pilot if they require design review, are located near a critical area such as wetland or within the Lake Whatcom watershed, if they require additional land use permits or if they require a fire sprinkler or alarm system. The building official has the authority to determine if a project exceeds the scope of the program.
The intent of the pilot is to clarify and test which permits work well for issuance over the counter by permit technicians. A permanent program will be developed next July.
For complete details on the Subject-to-Field-Inspection Pilot Program, see the city's website at www.cob.org.
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| Greenbank Farm event toasts award-winning, local wines | [07/02/2010] | Award-winning wines from Whidbey Island wineries will be featured during a First Friday Wine & Art event from 5 to 8 p.m. July 2 at the Greenbank Farm Wine Shop.
The wines will include the Rosato and Sangiovese from Whidbey Island Winery and Vineyards, the Mystique Red and Syrah from Ott & Murphy Wines and the Whidbey White and Calla from Blooms Winery of Whidbey.
The ticket price for the wine tasting is $10 per person and includes tasting wines at the wine shop and the three art galleries – Rob Schouten Gallery, Artworks Gallery and Raven Rocks Gallery – all of which will be opening new shows that night. The Greenbank Cheese Shop will be open and offering samples of artisan cheeses and Whidbey Pies Café, which normally closes at 5 p.m., will be open for dinner (reservations required).
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| Downtown Bellingham businesses celebrates art | [07/02/2010] | The Downtown Bellingham Partnership will present its Downtown Bellingham Art Walk on Friday, July 2.
The event will include a diversity of art venues displaying works from 6 to 10 p.m. at various businesses, including the Blue Horse Gallery, Bayou on the Bay, PFC Dreamscape Studios, Digs, Allied Arts of Whatcom County, The Amadeus Project, Bloom, Gathering Glass Designs, Honey Salon, The Leopold, Lettered Streets Coffee House, The Little Gallery, Studio UFO, 3 OMS Yoga, and Works on Canvas Studio and Gallery.
Special events will include sidewalk sales, services and samples at participating businesses on Friday and Saturday.
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| CJ’s Beach House expands outdoors, hires new chef | [07/02/2010] | CJ’s Beach House Restaurant in Birch Bay has just opened their newly expanded beachfront patio – doubling the outdoor waterfront dining area – and hired Chef Craig Kline. The restaurant also added summer fun activities and a breakfast buffet on weekends.
Due to popular demand for CJ’s waterfront deck in the summer, seating has now been expanded across the entire waterfront side of the restaurant. Additionally, there will be live music and barbeques on the newly expanded patio every Friday and Saturday night throughout the summer.
General Manager Carol Bouma says Kline has more than 30 years of seafood experience. She also added that Lauren Beyer has been promoted to sous chef.
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| Local governments successful in first challenge to sales tax ruling | [7/1/2010] | Skagit County Superior Court judge Susan Cook issued a temporary restraining order yesterday halting the implementation of new tax advice affecting retailers making sales to Canadian shoppers.
The temporary restraining order was in response to an action filed by the city of Bellingham and Whatcom County in Skagit County Superior Court, challenging a recent state ruling that allows Canadian shoppers to forgo paying sales taxes on some purchases in Washington.
City and County officials say retailers should wait for further instructions from the Department of Revenue before changing any sales tax collection practices. They say the safest route for local businesses may be to provide no exemptions until the legal process runs its course.
State law allows retailers to decline to provide the exemption to B.C. shoppers, but they risk alienating Canadian customers. Retailers who grant the exemption must document each tax-exempt sale and maintain the records for audit purposes.
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| SVC’s Laura Angst Hall achieves LEED Platinum certification | [6/30/2010] | Skagit Valley College (SVC), together with the project architects, design team and contractors achieved LEED Platinum certification – the highest possible energy certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The certification also is a first for a higher education building in the state of Washington.
The most visible expression of sustainable building practices in the $22 million project, are the sunscreens at all south-facing windows to control sunlight, as well as the large photovoltaic (PV) array on the roof to generate power from sunlight. Since September, the PV system has generated 28,534-kilowatt hours, thereby avoiding 10.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide, while providing up to 4 percent of building electrical use.
The Laura Angst Hall design team, led by Schreiber Starling & Lane Architects of Seattle, included Yost Grube Hall of Portland, associate architects. Consulting engineers included AHBL, structural engineers; K-Engineers, electrical engineers; Wood Harbinger, mechanical engineers; Leonard, Boudinot & Skodje, civil engineers; and Murase Associates, landscape architects. Green Building Services of Portland assisted in LEED strategies documentation and reporting. Tiger Construction of Everson served as general contractor.
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| Whatcom Co. Health Dept. warns restaurant operators of telephone scam | [6/29/2010] | The Whatcom County Health Department is warning restaurant operators of a fraudulent scheme to obtain personal financial information.
Restaurant operators in several Western Washington counties have been contacted by a caller claiming to be from the health department. The caller requests personal financial information, such as a credit card number. In some cases, the caller has claimed to be "implementing a new inspection program.” The caller may threaten either fines or enforcement action if the restaurant operator does not cooperate. These calls are fraudulent.
The Whatcom County Health Department will never request personal financial information over the telephone or otherwise. Inspections are unannounced and all inspectors carry photo identification when conducting official business.
Similar telephone scams have been reported elsewhere in the country as well. Fraudulent telephone calls need to be reported to the Federal Trade Commission online at www.ftc.gov/phonefraud or call 1.877.382.4357. For additional information about the Whatcom County Health Department’s food-safety inspection program, call 360.676.6724.
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| Independent businesses celebrate with festivities | [06/25/2010] | The 7th annual Independents Week festivities kick off June 28 and run through July 4 at participating independent businesses throughout Whatcom County.
Many local businesses will adorn their store windows with red, white and blue "Choose Independents” posters and will feature special sales and promotions, which will be listed in an Independent’s Week flier to be distributed in various newspapers and available at businesses throughout Whatcom County.
Among the festivities, Sustainable Connections will present a Think Local Prize Wheel at the July 3 farmers market to provide an opportunity to win prizes from local businesses, 2010 Where the Locals Go! coupon books and more. Events also will include the Independents Photo Contest, with one winner receiving a cruise for two adults through the San Juan Islands to downtown Victoria, B.C., including a return dinner buffet.
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| Northwest Workforce Council hires financial director | [6/24/2010] | Kurt Adams of Colorado has been appointed financial director and grants manager by the Northwest Workforce Council.
While in Colorado, Adams served as controller and a senior accountant in two different organizations. He also earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration, with concentrations in accounting and computer information systems, in Colorado.
The Council, working in association with local elected officials, is responsible for the oversight of the workforce development system in Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. The Council sets strategic direction and goals for the workforce system and monitors the performance of an array of employment and training programs operating within its four-county region. The Council’s annual budget for the July 2010-June 2011 program year is $3.9 million.
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| EDASC partners with Duane Knapp to present “Transformation Strategy” workshop | [6/23/2010] | As the economy continues to recover, businesses today should be positioning themselves to maximize the emerging marketplace of the next decade. The Economic Development Association of Skagit County (EDASC) has partnered with Duane Knapp, president of Brand Strategy Inc., to bring you what you need to know now to create your organization’s transformation strategy.
The workshop focuses on creating a market strategy around customer benefit, value leadership and promise performance.
"Transformation … Your Keys to Success” will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, at the EDASC offices in Mount Vernon. The cost is $30 for members, $40 for non-members and includes the speaker’s book, The Brand Promise. Advanced registration is required online at www.skagit.org or call 360.336.6114. |
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| Artists and crafters sought for July event | [6/23/2010] | The Mount Vernon Downtown Association is looking for artists and crafters of all ages to participate in this year’s annual Sidewalk/Garage Sale in downtown Mount Vernon.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 30-31. Applications are available online at www.mountvernondowntown.org. |
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| BLM announces solar energy rental rates | [6/21/2010] | In support of the Obama administration’s energy strategy that calls for rapid development of renewable energy, particularly on U.S. public lands, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a rental schedule for solar energy right-of-way authorizations on public lands.BLM Announces Solar Energy Rental Rates
"[W]e are providing the solar energy industry the level of certainty it needs about the costs associated with projects on the public lands and ensuring a fair return to American taxpayers for the use of their public lands,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey.
The BLM is required by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) to collect an annual rental payment for right-of-way authorizations on public lands. FLPMA also requires that rents for these authorizations reflect the fair-market value for the use of public lands.
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