CANADIAN TAX EXEMPTION WILL LEAVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH BUDGET SHORTFALLS
The state of Washington, Whatcom County and other northern Washington local governments stand to lose substantial sales-tax revenue for local services now that an exemption, announced by the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) on June 10, went into effect on July 1, according to a press release from the office of Kelli Linville (D-Bellingham).
Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen is asking the DOR to either reverse its decision or at least stay the tax’s implementation until the legislature can resolve the issue at next year’s session.
"Our county, as well as all of our cities and the Whatcom Transportation Authority, will suffer huge revenue losses in the millions of dollars at a time when we can least afford to give away tax monies which are already in decline,” Kremen told Northwest Business Monthly.
Ken Oplinger, president and CEO of Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce & Industry, also expressed concern.
"Whatever benefits there are for businesses that would experience increased Canadian traffic, they will be far outweighed by the significant revenue losses facing local governments across northern Washington,” Oplinger said.
The DOR has posted instructions on its website at http://dor.wa.gov/nonresidents for retailers who may be selling goods tax-free to British Columbia residents.
Initial estimates are that the city of Bellingham would stand to lose approximately $1 million in sales-tax revenue during the first year of the exemption. Linville is reaching out to local Whatcom leaders to assess the full impact of the exemption and help them plan.
ALLEGIANT ADDS MORE FLIGHTS TO CALIFORNIA
Allegiant Travel Co. and its subsidiary low-cost airline, Allegiant Air LLC, and the Port of Bellingham have announced the addition of non-stop jet service between Bellingham and Long Beach, Calif., beginning July 1.
This fourth destination to Southern California will include an "extremely” limited number of "today only” fares as low at $9.99 one-way to/from Long Beach. In addition, Allegiant partners with the best hotels in the Southern California area and is offering the fourth night hotel stay free with the purchase of three nights.
The new flights will operate three times weekly between Bellingham International Airport and Long Beach Airport, with service Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Allegiant will utilize 150-seat, MD-80 series, jet aircraft on the route.
SKAGIT PORT REOPENS AIRPORT PROPERTY TO PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION
The Port of Skagit Board of Commissioners approved a set of development standards for Skagit Regional Airport on June 8 that will reopen airport property to private construction, according to a press release.
The development standards are designed to ensure the airport will develop as a "premier destination” for aircraft owners and pilots, said Scott Peterson, the port’s director of facilities and operations. The standards include future construction along the main runway to support corporate/business aircraft use and a crosswind runway for mixed-use aviation, with executive hangars, T-hangars and fixed-base operations. The port will later market property along Taxiway F, which connects the two runways along the west side of the airport, as additional mixed-use space.
"The intent is to provide long-term revenues and return on assets to the port and its constituents, plus jobs for our community,” Peterson said. "Private-sector development will provide an increase in the tax base of the port district without using port or constituents’ funds.”
NEW WAREHOUSE SPACE OPEN IN BURLINGTON
Jim Potter, chairman of Kauri Ltd. and owner of La Serena Holdings has completed two warehouse buildings in Burlington. The warehouses and the 3.5-acre Hyundai dealership sit on a 14.5-acre business park property owned by Skagit Crossings LLC.
The two 15,000-square-foot buildings house nine, 1,750-square-foot bays each. New tenants at the new warehouses include: Wilson, an industry-leading provider of pipe, valve and valve automation, fittings, mill and tool supplies, safety products and artificial lift systems to the energy and industrial markets; Geiger’s Custom Cleaning Inc., a local janitorial service; and WaterPod, a water aerator-testing and shipping facility.
SOUND SHREDDING CELEBRATES 20TH YEAR WITH SHRED EVENTS
Sound Shredding & Recycling marks its 20th year of business by hosting two free community shred events.
"It’s remarkable to maintain a business for 20 years, let alone have it grow and continue to stay on the cutting edge,” says Sound General Manager Peter Rasco. "We see these free community shred events as a way to thank the Whatcom and Skagit communities for the support they’ve provided since Sound opened its doors.”
The first shred event takes place in Bellingham from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, and will be located across from the Bellingham Farmers Market on East Maple Street. The second shred event takes place in Mount Vernon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, at a location to be announced.
At the events, members of the public can have up to two boxes or garbage bags of confidential papers shredded at no cost.
WHOLESALE MARKET AIMS TO CONNECT LOCAL PRODUCERS TO RETAIL BUYERS
A new weekly market is aimed at local food producers ready to sell their products to wholesale buyers. The Skagit WholeSale Market kicked off June 24, at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op in Mount Vernon.
"This weekly market site will help buyers and sellers reduce the time and fuel costs associated with direct marketing of quality, local food products,” said Lucy Norris, Puget Sound Food Network project manager. The food network and the Skagit Valley Co-op are partnering in this effort.
Several local producers have already signed on to participate, including Hedlin Farm, Skagit River Ranch, Ralph’s Greenhouse, Skagit Flats, Viva Farms, Sakuma Bros., Twin Sisters Mushrooms, San Juan Pasta Co., Hidden Meadow Ranch, Fresh Breeze Organic Dairy and Gothberg Farms.
NEW OWNERS ENJOY FAIRHAVEN’S QUEL FROMAGE
The family-operated, specialty cheese shop Quel Fromage in Bellingham’s Historic Fairhaven has changed hands from Rachel Riggs to sisters Beth Bagne and Jennifer Bagne, and employee Lael Meidal.
The trio hasn’t made major changes to the popular shop, which features bottled wines from $10 to $170, but they will soon add bottled beers. The store will continue the popular summer special "Fromage A Go-Go” picnic boxes, which feature cheeses, bread, chocolate, fruit and more.
CLEARBROOK METAL WORKS LAUNCHES NEW LINE
Clearbrook Metal Works, a custom metal fabrication company in Sumas, has launched its own line of tow-behind lawn and garden equipment under the name Clearbrook Implement LLC.
The key component of the Clearbrook implement line is the main frame, with a patent-pending, four-point, quick-attach system that allows the operator to easily switch from one implement to another in less than 60 seconds.
Clearbrook Metal Works owner Brian Johnston and long-time friend and business owner Craig VanKooten began this project four years ago.
REAL ESTATE AGENCIES MERGE IN LYNDEN
Lynden-based Snapper Shuler Kenner Real Estate has merged with The Muljat Group and changed its name to The Muljat Group, SSK Branch following the buyout of partner Paul Kenner.
Owner Jerry Blankers and his family will continue to own and operate the company, as they have for the past 35 years. Blanker also will serve as branch broker.
"By combining our resources, we will be able to offer an even higher level of service to our clients and will create an even stronger presence in Whatcom County,” Blankers said.
Frank and Troy Muljat have five additional offices, four in Bellingham and one in Ferndale.
BURLINGTON AUTOMOTIVE CELEBRATES OPENING
Burlington Automotive celebrated the grand opening of its new automotive repair shop with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 7 and festivities on May 8.
The new shop is located in the 700 block of McCorquedale Road (behind Sims Honda).
"This is the result of a lot of hard work from many individuals throughout the past year,” said owner John Beebe. "Burlington Automotive will be a local option for people in Skagit County and beyond.”
Charitable donations to Relay for Life were collected at the event.
CASCADE INSURANCE AGENCY NOW OFFERS TRAVELERS
The Cascade Insurance Agency in Coupeville has been appointed to sell personal lines of insurance coverage from Travelers.
Shelli Trumbull of Cascade Insurance Agency said that the agency now offers customers Travelers coverage for their automobile, homes and boats.
FAIRHAVEN’S 12TH STREET SHOES WINS DISPLAY AWARD
Fairhaven’s 12th Street Shoes received the "Excellence in Visual Merchandising” award by Dansko for its "Travel in Style” display window.
WOW!Windows from Vancouver, B.C., created the display to highlight Dansko shoes. Tim Chandonnet snapped the award-winning photo, which featured a pink "Air Dansko” foam plane and pink luggage. The shoe store was one of five retailers worldwide to win a merchandising award from Dansko.
NURSE PRACTITIONERS FORM ASSOCIATION
Nurse practitioners in the Whatcom County area have formed a new professional association dedicated to promoting the profession of advanced practice nurses, providing continuing education for nurse practitioners and community health outreach.
Nurse practitioners (NP) are licensed independent healthcare providers that provide primary and specialty healthcare in a variety of settings. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced training in diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury, as well as focusing on health promotion, wellness, and patient education. They can prescribe medications, order tests, treat illness and administer physical exams in solo practice or in relationship with their physician colleagues.
GOVERNOR PRESENTS "COMMUTE SMART” AWARDS
Gov. Chris Gregoire recognized the efforts of employers and communities during the 2010 Governor’s Commute Smart Awards ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia.
The awards recognize communities, businesses, agencies and employee transportation coordinators. Regional winners are: Amy Jones of Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham, Commute Smart Voluntary Recognition/Employee Transportation Coordinators; Julie Ward of Whatcom Educational Credit Union in Bellingham, Commute Smart Employee Transportation Coordinator Champion/Affected Sites; Village Books in Bellingham, Commute Smart Employer Champion/Voluntary Site; PeaceHealth in Bellingham, Commute Smart Employer Champion/Affected Site; and Whatcom Council of Governments’ Smart Trips program, Commute Smart State Agency Leadership/Washington State Department of Commerce/Commute Smart Community Award.
DIETITIAN/DIABETES EDUCATOR MOVES PRACTICE
Jan Kincaid Rystrom, a registered dietitian for 15 years and also a certified diabetes educator, moved her practice in April to Mount Baker Nephrology Associates in Bellingham.
As an independent clinician, Rystrom now is a renal dietitian and diabetes educator working in the offices of Mount Baker Nephrology Associates. She continues to offer medical nutrition therapy and nutrition counseling, specializing in kidney health and diabetes management. Rystrom also remains a nutrition consultant.
HAGGEN PHARMACIES PROVIDE DISPOSAL BINS FOR MEDICINE
Three Haggen stores in Bellingham are now equipped to provide safe and secure disposal of unwanted medicine.
The Barkley Village Haggen, Meridian Haggen and Haggen Fairhaven Markets have installed locked disposal bins at their pharmacies. Customers must contact a pharmacist at the stores to ensure proper disposal of unwanted medications. Accepted items include prescription and over-the-counter medications, medication samples, medications for pets, medicated ointments and lotions, vitamins, inhalers and unopened EpiPens. The Haggen disposal bins can’t accept narcotics (Oxycodone, Vicodin, Codeine and others).
The disposal stations are funded by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant awarded to the city of Bellingham.
FAMILY FUNERAL BUSINESS CHANGES NAME
The Moles family has changed its Moles Family Funeral Homes & Crematory in Lynden to Good Steward Funerals.
The family has served local families with traditional funerals for four generations, along with 25 years of experience in offering low-cost cremation options and seven years operating a facility in Lynden.
Good Steward is still owned by the Moles family and still managed by Steve Hortegas and Cindy Alsum. Besides the name change, the difference will be in Good Steward’s focus on new and expanded "stewardship-based” funeral care.
BOUNDARY BAY WINS WORLD BEER CUP MEDALS
Bellingham’s Boundary Bay Brewery competed with 641 other breweries from around the world at the 2010 World Beer Cup in Chicago in April and brought home three medals for its beers.
The event now includes more than 3,330 beers from 44 countries. Boundary Bay won a silver medal for its Dunkles Bock in the German-Style Doppelbock/Eisbock category, a bronze medal for the Imperial IPA in the Imperial India Pale Ale category and a bronze for the Cabin Fever in the Strong Ale category.
Ed Bennett owns Boundary Bay Brewery, and Janet Lightner serves as general manager.
SCHOONER ZODIAC RELOCATES TO FAIRHAVEN
The Old Fairhaven Association officially welcomed the Schooner Zodiac from Seattle to its new home at the Fairhaven waterfront.
The Zodiac offers day trips, multi-day cruises, charters, sail-training programs for all ages and overnight adventures. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 160-foot schooner Zodiac was built in 1924 and is a classic wooden yacht with the largest working mainsail on the West Coast. Although the keel is original, everything above the waterline has been rebuilt. Her impressive main mast reaches 12 stories high.
WILSON MOTORS EARNS 2009 TOYOTA PRESIDENTS AWARD
Wilson Motors in Bellingham received the 2009 Toyota Presidents Award, the highest honor from Toyota presented to any dealer.
This is the third time that Wilson Motors, owned by Rick Wilson and Julian Greening, has won the award, and they are the only Toyota dealer north of Seattle to earn the honor in 2009.
TENNIS CLUB CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARIES
The Bellingham Tennis Club celebrated 10 years of ownership by Doug and Robin Robertson in May. The club opened its doors in December of 1973 and has seen several owners, with the Robertsons purchasing the club in May of 2000.
The club has undergone a remodel, added new equipment and unique programs during the past 10 years.The owners are continuing to invest in the club, and plan to change the club’s name in the next year.
PEOPLES BANK ADDS PARTNER TO COMMUNITY-FOCUSED CD
Lynden-based Peoples Bank has partnered with the Skagit County Community Action Agency (SCCAA) in Mount Vernon to provide a Community Connections Certificate of Deposit available at all locations in Skagit and Whatcom counties.
Peoples Bank Community Connections provides select community organizations with a quarterly donation when customers open a Community Connections Certificate of Deposit. The donation is currently ¼ percent annually based on the average balance of the certificates in the Community Connections plan designated for a specific charity.
SCCAA advocates for self-sufficiency among low-income people in Skagit County and currently offers more than 35 anti-poverty programs.
The bank’s other Community Connections organizations are Sustainable Connections and Kulshan Community Land Trust.
COMMUNITY STRENGTH PAINTERS LAUNCHES WEBSITE
Community Strength Painters (CSP) of Bellingham has launched its website at www.communitystrengthpainters.com.
CSP owner Steve Pacheaco started the residential and commercial painting service in 1998. His commercial projects include some well-known Bellingham landmarks such as the downtown Community Food Co-op and Tony’s Coffee in Fairhaven.
The website contains a photo gallery of jobs completed by CSP, list of services and tips for budget-conscious do-it-yourselfers.
WWU LANDS ON TWO NATIONAL GREEN-COLLEGE RANKINGS
Western Washington University (WWU) has been named to a pair of national green-college rankings based on its commitment to green-building techniques, sustainability and the use of alternative-energy sources.
The Princeton Review’s annual "Guide to Green Colleges,” published in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, named WWU as one of the "greenest” universities in the nation, scoring a 93 on a scale from 60-99.
Western also placed highly in the Environmental Protection Agency’s College & University Green Power Challenge, recognizing the largest single purchasers within each participating athletic conference. WWU is seventh nationally among conference champions.
CERTIFICATIONS/DESIGNATIONS
• 2nd Story Construction Inc. has become a lead-safe certified firm.
• Sound Shredding & Recycling of Bellingham, is now certified at the highest national level for its entire mobile and off-site shredding and hard-drive destruction services by the National Association of Information Destruction.
• Bergen & Co. of Bellingham, certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises.
WOUND HEALING CENTER WINS NATIONAL AWARD
The National Healing Corp. has recognized the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Wound Healing Center in Bellingham with its "Front Runner” award for maximizing its resources to meet the growing needs of its community.
Peggy Perry, director of the Wound Healing Center, accepted the award during an annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.
The Wound Healing Center specializes in the treatment of chronic wounds and non-responsive conditions with state-of-the-art methodologies and treatments, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the use of vascular studies, tissue culturing and pathology, revascularization, skin grafting and clinical or surgical debridement.
GREENBERRY INDUSTRIAL REACHES SAFETY MILESTONE
Greenberry Industrial, based in Corvallis, Ore., and a branch office in Burlington, Washl, recently surpassed 2 million consecutive work hours without a lost-time injury accident.
Greenberry’s safety commitment is proving beneficial for its business. Because of its renowned record, the company has strategically expanded the past two years with offices in Burlington and Ontario, Calif., to better serve new clients in the petrochemical and steel industries that require stellar safety marks.
SICKLESTEEL CRANES RECEIVES NATIONAL SAFETY AWARD
Sicklesteel Cranes Inc. of Mount Vernon received a Construction Safety Excellence Award from the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America during the association’s national convention this spring.
The awards recognize companies that have developed and implemented premier safety and loss prevention programs, and showcases companies that have achieved continuous improvements and maintenance of their safety and health management systems. Sicklesteel Cranes took first place in the specialty division category.
ACTION PAGES WINS ADP GOLD BOOK AWARD, UPDATES LOGO
Action Pages earned its first Gold Book Award for Excellence in Cover Design & Art during the Association of Directory Publishers Annual Convention.
Action Pages also updated its logo with stylized fingers stepping outside the box symbolizing its move toward the future and involvement in the community.
MULTOP FINANCIAL LANDS ON FIVE-STAR LIST
Multop Financial of Bellingham was acknowledged as a 2010 FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager in the April issue of Seattle Magazine. Only 729 of the top-scoring wealth managers made this year’s list.
"After serving the Whatcom County area for over 30 years, it’s rewarding to see our reputation extend throughout the Pacific Northwest,” said Multop Financial founder Phillip Multop. "We are a small-town firm but we are dedicated to keeping up with the metropolitan areas when it comes to our work and professionalism.”
SPYGLASS VISION CLINIC MOVES INTO BELLWETHER BUILDING
The Port of Bellingham’s Board of Commissioners approved a five-year lease with Spyglass Vision Clinic, an optometry business moved into the Bellwether Building in June.
Spyglass was located on North State Street and took over the space formerly occupied by Bergsma Gallery. In addition to offering comprehensive eye exams, the Spyglass Vision Clinic also features a wide array of eyeglass styles, including eyeglasses from European designers. Owner Jeffrey A. Young, O.D., moved to Bellingham in 2004 and opened Spyglass Vision Clinic in 2005. He has been practicing optometry for nearly 20 years.
NORTHSTAR STONE OPENS MOUNT VERNON LOCATION
Northstar Stone and Landscape Supply owner Jeff Hodefitz celebrated the opening of his second location in the 3300 block of Old Highway 99 South Road in Mount Vernon with a grand opening event on May 15.
The store has landscaping supplies for homeowners and contractors and "good old-fashioned service.”
Randy Hahn and Wil Olson at the Bellingham store are responsible for ordering and transferring product to the new store. Gabriella Cooper is in charge of retail and contractor sales and Gary Poole manages product and deliveries.
HAGGEN, TOP FOOD STORES OFFER ANTIBACTERIAL BAGS
Haggen Food & Pharmacy and TOP Food & Drug have become the first grocery stores in the Pacific Northwest to offer antibacterial reusable bags, which offer another level of safety for consumers against the spread of food-borne illnesses.
The antibacterial bags, developed by Proforma Mountainview Printing in Lynden, are treated with AP360, an antimicrobial product that controls harmful and odor-causing bacteria (MRSA), mold, mildew and fungus. It is produced from natural resources that are abundantly renewable. Chitin, the active substance, is derived from the shells of crabs and contains unique antimicrobial properties. The bags are safe to use by everyone, including those who are allergic to shellfish.
CASCADE RADIO ADDS LIVE, LIBERAL TALK SHOW
The Cascade Radio Group launched its first live and local talk show for Radio 930 AM in May with "The Joe Show,” with host Joe Teehan.
The one-hour program begins at noon on station KBAI, the company’s progressive/liberal voice. Teehan will continue his role as morning co-anchor of sister station KGMI’s morning news and co-host of that station’s morning talk show with Patti Brooks.
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