Third Kids’ World Opens in Bellingham

Michael and Terri Watters in September opened their third Kids’ World facility in Bellingham.

The newest facility at the corner of Northwest and West Bakerview roads joins ones at 200 E. Sunset Drive and 2215 D St.

Kids’ World is owned by Michael and Terri Waters and isn’t a franchise or affiliated with a national chain. It serves infants (1-12 months), toddlers (12-30 months) and preschool children (30-60 months) throughout the day, as well as kindergarten and school-age children before and after school. All of its early-learning programs offer a fully integrated preschool curriculum. Breakfast, lunch and two healthy snacks are provided at no additional cost to parents.

 

Businesses Combine to Present Events

Three Bellingham businesses — Emerald Bay Events, D-Lux Entertainment and Sound Wise — have joined forces to present family-oriented and community events in the region.

The first event will be a Halloween party and costume ball from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Oct. 27 and a haunted dungeon from 4 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27 and 31. Both the party and the haunted dungeon will be at the Whatcom Center, 1310 Cornwall Ave., in downtown Bellingham. Some of the proceeds will go to the Whatcom Hospice Foundation.

Future events being planned include a “magical winter wonderland gala” at the Sapphire Cove in Bellingham this December.

For more information about these events, call Bryant Davis at Emerald Bay Events, 734-7832; Sean Spain with D-Lux Entertainment, 734-5674; or Travis and Nancy Jordan at Sound Wise, 671-9905.

Emerald Bay Events, owned by Britain and Gail Walker, offers catering services for events ranging from small groups to large business gatherings. D-Lux Entertainment, owned by Spain, connects speakers, acts and performers with meetings and events. Sound Wise, owned by the Jordans, provides professional, live audio reinforcement and installation services for venues from small conference meetings to large performances.

 

Robinson Launches Mobile Accounting Firm

Donna Robinson has launched STB Consulting, which delivers on-call, mobile computer accounting help to small-business owners in Whatcom County.

Robinson believes that businesspeople without a reasonable knowledge of accounting can struggle with setting up and using their accounting software.

“More and more people are buying accounting software but many are not using the systems appropriately and are running into problems,” Robinson says. “My job is to help business owners get the system set up right in the first place and then be at hand if they need some assistance in the future.”

Robinson has been working with computers and computerized accounting systems since the 1970s and has an educational background that includes information systems, accounting and business management. She supports both Windows and Apple Macintosh platforms and is a QuickBooks professional adviser and a certified consultant for MYOB.

For more information, contact Robinson at 303-0385, send e-mail to donna@stbconsulting.com or visitwww.stbconsulting.com

 

Village Books Event Helps Creek Restoration

A presentation at Village Books in Bellingham by renowned novelist and nonfiction writer David James Duncan raised $1,000 for the Whatcom Creek Restoration Project through the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association.

Duncan, who lives in Montana, has read and lectured throughout the United States on wilderness, the writing life and other topics.

 

IMCO Construction Awarded Major Projects

IMCO General Construction of Bellingham recently was awarded two projects totaling nearly $10 million.

Work is expected to be completed by September on a $7.1 million underground utility corridor for Western Washington University in Bellingham. The 1,000-foot tunnel will support the university’s $100 million expansion effort. The project includes construction of storm and sanitary sewer systems, an extension of a public water main, electrical systems and more.

IMCO also is handling the $2.7 million realignment of an irrigation/flood-control ditch next to the airport at Klamath Falls, Ore. The realignment is needed to provide a sufficient safety buffer at the end of a runway. The project also includes filling the old channel and is expected to be completed by mid-December.

Founded in 1978, IMCO General Construction has developed significant expertise in site work and concrete construction. It recently completed work related to a 550-megawatt cogeneration power plant in Klamath Falls. For more information about the company, call 671-3936 or visit www.imco-inc.com.

 

Bevan Opening Fairhaven Salon

Wendy Bevan has opened HAIR by Wendy, a salon in the new Finnegan’s Alley building in Fairhaven.

The salon is in Suite Two of Finnegan’s Alley at 1106 Harris Ave., across the street from Dos Padres restaurant.

Bevan opened the salon in mid-September. She began her hair-dressing career at Ric and Rene’s in Fairhaven 20 years ago. She spent the last 10 years, including six years as owner, at the Alligator Salon in downtown Bellingham until selling it in February.

HAIR by Wendy is open on weekdays and some Saturdays. Messages can be left at 671-2121 and will be promptly returned.

 

Bellis Fair Plans Evening of Giving

More than 40 Northwest charities and nonprofit organizations are participating in the Evening of Giving, which will be conducted from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 18 at Bellis Fair mall in Bellingham.

Participating charities and organizations are selling $5 tickets to the event. These groups keep all of the proceeds from tickets they sell. People buying ticket receive a night of shopping at Bellis Fair that includes special store discounts, in-store drawings, mallwide drawings, door prizes, free gift wrap and entertainment.

 

Weight Management Firm Opens Bellingham Office

Dr. Anthony Burden has opened a Northwest Medical Weight Management clinic in Bellingham.

The clinic is located in the Haskell Business Center at 1414 Meador Ave., H-100. It is open Tuesdays and Thursdays. NMWM’s Lynden office is open every Monday and Friday at 1610 Grover St., C-3. The hours at both offices are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NMWM has programs which include an individualized approach to weight management; a variety of food plans; natural and prescription appetite suppressants. Nutritionist Mary Lou Anderson teaches nutrition and behavioral classes. An exercise and fitness consultant is available to meet patients on a fee-for-service basis.

Burden practiced family medicine for the past 10 years before opening this clinic. He is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians.

For more information, call NMWM, 318-8525.

 

Iron Street Gallery & Salon Opens

Iron Street Gallery & Salon was opened June 1 in Bellingham by owner and stylist Nancy Johnson.

The business is located at 1846 Iron Street, Suite A.

Johnson and stylist Gloria Desho have more than 30 years of experience in the hair-dressing field in Whatcom County. Johnson is using the salon’s large waiting area to show the work of many of their clients who are local artists and craftspeople. Many of them haven’t had the opportunity to display their work before Iron Street Gallery & Salon opened.

Candice Christie, a local artist, is the gallery manager and also has some paintings displayed there.

Salon hours are by appointment. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

For more information, call 756-0358.

 

Bellingham Clowns Attend Workshops

The Bellingham clown duo of Zig Zag & Ragz — Alyse Axford and Cameron Stewart, respectively — attended workshops earlier this month at the Northwest Festival of Clowns Convention in Portland, Ore.

Axford and Stewart attended “The Healing Power of Laughter,” designed to improve clown skills for hospitals and health-care facilities; “Comedy Movement,” which seeks to enhance performances without tripping; “Balloon Buffoonery,” the art of story-telling while twisting balloon sculptures; and “Face Painting,” which covered new ideas and techniques.

Axford and Stewart started their education in the art of clowning in 1987. They were trained by Ringling Bros. Clowns before starting a career that led them to Bellingham. For more information about Zig Zag & Ragz Z Clowns, call 647-9229 or visit www.zigzag-ragz.com.

 

Haskell Corp. Begins Work on Kidney Center

Haskell Corp. of Bellingham has begun construction on the $3.5 million Mount Baker Kidney Center in Bellingham.

The two-story, 22,300-square-foot medical building at 410 Birchwood Ave. will accommodate a 21-station hemodialysis facility and offices for doctors. The project, designed by Mithun Architects+Designers+Planners, is expected to be completed in June.

 

Bellwether Ballroom on the Bay Opens

The Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham announced in late September the opening of its Bellwether Ballroom on the Bay, located in the adjacent Paulsen Business Center.

The Bellwether Ballroom is a 4,437-square-foot, elegantly designed room that offers a view of the San Juan Islands. It can seat up to 700 people for reception-style events and 400 people for banquets. Meetings and parties are among the possible uses of the ballroom, which has Internet access and is fully equipped for audio-visual presentations

Its 728-square-foot “pre-function” space provides an elegant entryway and a 795-square-foot terrace, which overlooks Bellingham Bay, is suited for those who want a relaxed atmosphere.

The Hotel Bellwether has 68 luxury guest rooms and a private 900-square-foot lighthouse condominium at Bellwether on the Bay, a commercial development along Squalicum Harbor. For more information, call 392-3100 or visit www.hotelbellwether.com.

 

Cox Launches Dealership Focusing on Volkswagens

Keith Cox Autobahn, which sells used Volkswagens, opened earlier this year at 1905 James St., across from Diehl Ford in Bellingham.

Most of the dealership’s Volkswagens are lease-return vehicles or Volkswagen program cars with low miles. Each vehicle is inspected for safety and function by Harmony Motorworks of Bellingham. A firm price is posted on each vehicle.

Owner and president Keith Cox spent the past 13 years as a partner with Lynden-based developers Jim Wynstra and Bob Libolt at the Homestead companies before selling his shares back to the firm.

For more information, call 733-2721 or visit www.keithcoxautobahn.com.

 

Best Western Heritage Receives Quality Award

The Best Western Heritage Inn in Bellingham has received the Best Western Director’s Award for outstanding quality standards.

The award recognizes Best Western International hotels with a cleanliness and maintenance inspection score of 950 points or more out of a possible 1,000. Hotels also must meet Best Western’s requirements for design and high customer-service scores to qualify for the distinction.

The 90-room Best Western Inn is located at 151 E. McLeod Road. For more information, call 647-1912 or visit www.bestwestern.com/heritageinnbellingham.

 

Pacific NW Credit Union Collecting Teddy Bears

Pacific Northwest Credit Union in Bellingham is collecting teddy bears that will be distributed to children by Whatcom County fire departments.

The teddy bears are given to frightened, sick or injured children by the departments.

Donations of teddy bears 8 to 11 inches in height may be made through Oct. 19 at Pacific Northwest Credit Union, 3250 Northwest Ave., or at any Whatcom County fire department. For more information, call 647-0560.

 

Piper Music Doubles Size with Expansion

Piper Music in downtown Bellingham recently doubled its size from 700 square feet to 1,400 square feet.

Owner Mary Jackson says the expansion added display space and work area and enabled the business to expand its instrument rental and sales department to include strings.

Piper Music, founded in November 1991 at 120 N. Commercial St., supplies sheet music and music books to private and school students, professional music teachers, churches, school choral, band and orchestra teachers and the general public. Approximately one-third of its business is from special orders.

For more information, call 738-7166.

 

Grocery Stores Support Boys & Girls Clubs

Brown & Cole Stores is again conducting a fund-raising drive at its Whatcom County supermarkets for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County.

Shoppers are invited to tear off a coupon of $1, $3 or $5 at a checkout register and add the donation to their grocery bill. Last year’s drive raised more than $15,000 for the clubs, which serve more than 4,500 children thought the county.

The promotion is being conducted at Cost Cutter stores in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and Blaine, The Fair Market in Lynden and the Everson Red Apple.

 

Bank Gives $10,000 to Opportunity Council

U.S. Bank recently presented a $10,000 grant to the Opportunity Council for its housing facility in Bellingham.

The grant paid for upgrading two bathrooms and a kitchen in the facility that provides shelter for homeless families for up to two years. The grant also was used to support the facility’s operating costs.

Opportunity Council staff combined with local contractors and volunteers to use the grand for installing lighting and floor covering and restoring trim and wall surfaces in the house, built in the 1920s.

The Opportunity Council is a private, nonprofit community-action agency serving Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties.

 

Gardening Contest Honors Businesses

Businesses and shopping centers were among the winners in the 16th Whatcom County in Bloom Competition.

The contest promotes the beautification of the county through the planting of flowers. It’s sponsored by the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department and the Bellingham Herald.

Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Bellingham, was first in the category of individual businesses, followed by Fairhaven Vision Clinic of Bellingham and the Inn at Semiahmoo of Blaine. Fairhaven Vision Clinic also placed first among medical facilities, followed by Alderwood Park Convalescent Center, Bellingham.

Lynden Downtown Merchants placed first in the category of shopping districts, followed by the City of Everson and the Historic Fairhaven District. The Inn at Semiahmoo was judged to have the best entrance with a sign, with Java Town Espresso of Bellingham second and Semiahmoo Resort Association of Blaine and Birch Bay Leisure Park tied for third.

Roto Rooter Plumbing, Bellingham, was second in the category of ecologically sound garden.

 

Java Town Espresso Receives Honor

Java Town Espresso, with two locations in Bellingham and one in Lynden, recently became one of two specialty-coffee retailers in the state to receive an award from the Specialty Coffee Association of America and Fresh Cup magazine.

The TOPS award recognizes specialty-coffee retailers who emphasize better business practices and are devoted to quality in every aspect of their business. Retailers and roaster/retailers are encouraged to take steps in areas such as continuing education for business owners, employee training, consumer education, support of specialty-coffee origins, coffee promotion and quality standards.

Java Town Espresso is owned by Eric Larson.

 

Tribe Seeks Approval for $20 Million Project

The Nooksack Indian Tribe has announced plans for a $20 million project that will include a 75-room hotel, a natural science center an a museum.

The tribe want to add 85 acres next to its two-acre reservation in Deming for the project. The Whatcom County Council has sent a letter to federal Bureau of Indian Affairs that backs the tribe’s efforts to place the land, currently owned by the tribe, into federal trust status.

The new facilities, which the tribe wants to build in 3-5 years, also will include an expansion of the Nooksack River Casino, a 100-lot park for recreational vehicles and ballfields. The entire project would employ 150 people, in addition to 230 workers already at the casino, and pump $14 million annually into the local economy, according to the tribe.

 

Businesses Support Rotary Fundraiser

Many Whatcom County businesses donated services, cash and prizes for the 12th-annual Rubber Duck Race, conducted Sept. 15 by the Whatcom County North Rotary Club at Hovander Park in Ferndale.

The event raised $24,000 to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County and other youth projects throughout the area.

 

Carriageworks Moves to Larger Location

The Carriageworks, Inc., which sells and modifies vehicles for use by the disabled, has moved to a larger location at 2107 Iron St., Bellingham.

Owner and president Dan McConnaughey says the business can provide full van conversions, wheelchair lifts, hand controls and more products that enable disabled customers to operate and ride in a wide variety of vehicles and boats. The company serves individuals and commercial, paratransit, industrial and medical clients in Whatcom and Skagit counties and British Columbia’s Lower Mainland.

“We are able to include boats, RVs, SUVs, mini- and full-size vans, pickups, cars, commercial vehicles and even commercial and industrial applications such as mobile blood banks, mobile X-ray labs, bookmobiles and concession trailers,” McConnaughey remarks.

For more information, call 738-1313.

 

County’s Jobless Rate Dips to 6.2 Percent

Whatcom County unemployment rate fell slightly in August to 6.2 percent, according to the Washington Employment Security Department.

The statewide unemployment rate was reported at 5.6 percent. Both the county and state jobless rates dropped 0.1 percent from July. The August 2000 unemployment rates were 5.2 percent in Whatcom County and 5.6 percent statewide.

“The change was pretty marginal from July to August but employment seemed to be somewhat weaker than usual for this time of year,” says Sylvia Mundy, ESD commissioner. “For more than 20 years, the seasonally adjusted rate for August dropped slightly due to summer hiring, but during this year and last there has been a slight increase.”

The August jobless rates for other northwest Washington counties were: Skagit, 5.7 percent; Snohomish, 3.8 percent; Island, 3.6 percent; and San Juan, 1.8 percent.

 

Zervas Group Projects Completed

Two projects designed by Zervas Group Architects of Bellingham recently were completed.

The firm designed the new headquarters of San Juan County Fire District 3, located just outside Friday Harbor. The building features a three-bay apparatus room, administrative offices, a community meeting room and dormitories for up to eight firefighters.

Zervas Group also designed La Casa de San Jose, a 50-unit farmworker housing project in Mount Vernon. The project was developed the Archdiocesan Housing Authority and Catholic Community Services in Seattle.

 

Firm Offers Partial Ownership of Aircraft

American Wing & Rotor in Bellingham recently purchased an airplane and a helicopter and is selling partial ownership in them.

The company, founded by owners Hans-Peter and Anita Tobler in 1996, bought a Beechcraft King Air twin-engine turbine airplane and a Robinson R-44 helicopter. Its goal is to sell up to 20 equal shares of the aircraft and give each owner the opportunity to travel anywhere at anytime. Total flying time hours are based on the number of shares owned. Both aircraft are located at Bellingham International Airport.

American Wing & Rotor is maintaining and insuring each aircraft and providing flight crews. The company plans to add a jet to its fleet by the end of this year.

For more information, call 739-7780.

 

Express Fitness Plans Health Screenings

Express Fitness of Bellingham is hosting a Community Wellness and Health Day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 16.

Health screenings will include bone-density testing and body-composition analysis. Bone density is used to evaluate a person’s risks for osteoporosis. Body composition helps in the assessment of risks for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health concerns.

Information on a variety of health issues, including nutrition, stress relief and weight management, also will be available to the public at Express Fitness, located at 133 Telegraph Road, behind a Denny’s restaurant.

For more information and appointments, call Express Fitness, 756-1110.

 

Keller Williams Realty Offers Home Auctions

Keller Williams Realty has launched homesbyAuction.com, a home-auction site designed and run by real-estate professionals.

Under homesbyAuction.com, an independent company licensed by Keller Williams, bidding for each home is scheduled for a pre-set, advertised period.

For more information, contact the Bellingham office of Keller Williams, 738-7070.

 

Interconnect Systems Donates Phone Equipment

Interconnect Systems, with offices in Bellingham, Mount Vernon and Everett, has donated a new phone system to the Skagit Land Trust.

The system, valued at $5,000, was installed at the Mount Vernon office of the land conservation and stewardship organization. The donation included four digital telephones and in-house voice mail. Other companies that supported the donation include Vodavi Communications Systems, the manufacturer of the system, and TWS Co., which provided a five-year warranty.

 

Blue Willi’s Opens in Bellwether Building

Blue Willi’s, a clothing store, opened in late August in the Bellwether Building at Bellwether on the Bay in Bellingham.

Blue Willi’s is the name of a clothing line from Denmark that has been sold throughout Europe for 40 years and became available in the United States eight years ago. The clothes are made from the finest cotton, linen and wool.

The Bellingham store, owned by Andy, Cherie and Carrie Webster, is the first Blue Willi’s “concept store” in the United States. The other two are in Denmark and Poland.

The Websters opened this store after closing their Margareta clothing store in downtown Bellingham.

Blue Willi’s is located on the ground floor of the Bellwether Building, which was completed earlier this year. It is adjacent to the Hotel Bellwether at the Port of Bellingham development along Squalicum Harbor. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 756-1998.

 

NW Women’s Hall Seeks Nominations

The Northwest Women’s Hall of Fame is seeking nominations by Nov. 10 for its 2002 inductees.

Started in 1998, the Hall of Fame honors Whatcom County women who have made a major impact on the community. Areas of achievement include, but aren’t limited to, business, education, health and science, social activism and volunteer service. Nominees must live (or have lived, if deceased) in Whatcom County; promoted opportunities for women or served as role models for women and girls; and have accomplished something of lasting significance. They should have demonstrated the qualities of risk-taking, perseverance, vision and a willing to face obstacles and challenge barriers.

Nomination forms are available at the YWCA, 1026 N. Forest, Bellingham, or by calling 734-4820. Those who have proposed nominations in the past are encouraged to resubmit them.

 

Dibb Presenting Financial Workshop

Denise Dibb, an Edward Jones investment representative in Fairhaven, is hosting in November a financial workshop for individual investors.

The four-week workshop will assist individuals in setting financial and investment goals and look at the many different types of investments available.

Classes are scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 29 at the Fairhaven Village Inn, 1200 10th St., Suite 102. The enrollment fee for the workshop is $28 per person, which includes all course materials and light refreshments. For more information or to reserve a seat, contact Karen Lawson, 714-8661.

 

Lawyers Raise Funds as Restaurant Waiters

Fifteen local lawyers served as waiters one August evening to raise $4,000 for LAW Advocates, an organization that provides free civil legal help to low-income Whatcom County residents.

The 5th-annual Lawyers Take Orders fundraiser was conducted at Orchard Street Brewery in Bellingham.

 

Cat Nap Inn Donates Food to Humane Society

Kolleen Fox and Hans Kruithof, owners of Cat Nap Inn Bed & Breakfast Exclusively for Cats, recently donated 1,500 pounds of cat food and cat litter to the Whatcom County Humane Society and Saving Pets One at a Time.

Cat Nap Inn, founded two years ago, offers boarding and other services for cats at 1244 Butler Creek Road, Sedro-Woolley. For more information, call 733-7733 or visit www.catnapinn.com.

 

L&I Accepting Internet Payments

Employers now can use the Internet to report and pay industrial payment premiums to the state Department of Labor and Industries.

About 160,000 employers report and pay industrial insurance to L&I each quarter.

“Employers in the pilot project found it was much easier to prepare and update their reports online,” says Kathy Kimbel, manager of L&I’s employer services programs. “The electronic forms and automatic calculations also improve accuracy of the data.”

The new Internet system is called Express Filing. Employers have the option of paying with an electronic funds transfer or a paper check. To use it, employers must sign up for a digital certificate or a log-on identification and password. Then, they need to enroll their account and choose a payment method.

For more information, try the online demonstration or, to sign up and use the new service, go to www.lni.wa.gov/expressfiling.

 

Developer Completes First Phase of Apartments

The Molnar Group of Vancouver, B.C. plans to begin construction in November on 144 garden (ground-floor) apartments, valued at $11 million, in Bellingham’s Barkley Park Apartments.

A $3.5 million, 52-unit complex at the site, located within the Barkley District at the corner of Racine Street and Barkley Boulevard, recently was completed. The apartments were designed by the architectural firm of Grinstead & Wagner and Exxel Pacific is the general contractor. Both are based in Bellingham.

Barkley Park Apartments offers studios and one- and two-bedroom suites. Units are rented through Property Management Professionals, 676-1880.

The Molnar Group, headed by Andre Molnar, is a development and business company with sales of more than $250 million. It specializes in multiple housing units.