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Business Pulse Business News Architects Honored for Design Work Zervas Group Architects of Bellingham led the winners of the 2001 Design Awards presented by the Northwest Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The chapter serves architects in Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. Zervas Group received the Honor Award, described as an outstanding example of architecture worthy of study by the entire profession, for its work on Toolhouse Design’s tenant improvements in the Bellwether Building in Bellingham. The project designers were Terry Brown and Tirzah Woods. Other Whatcom County winners were: • Ross McClure Cornwell Architects of Bellingham received a Merit Award, described as an outstanding example worth of study on a regional basis, for work on the Cole Cabin. Project designers were Jeffrey McClure and Anthony Cava. The firm also received Citation Award, honoring a project with elements worthy of study, for its work on the Port of Bellingham’s Marina Square at Squalicum Harbor. McClure and Cava also were this project’s designers. • Christensen Design Management of Bellingham received a Merit Award for the Northwest Heritage Master Plan Charette. David Christensen was the designer. Jobless Rate Ticks Upward Again Whatcom County’s unemployment rate continued its rise in November, moving up 0.3 percent to 7.3 percent, its highest level since 1995. The county rate for previous years in November was 5.6 percent in 2000 and 4.9 percent in 1999. The statewide jobless rate increased 0.6 percent to 6.8 percent in November. The statewide rate is expected to continue rising because Boeing Co. laid off 5,000 workers in December, the first of more than 20,000 jobs the company expects to cut in Washington. Also, January and February typically have the highest unemployment rates of the year because cold weather hampers construction, recreation and travel. The unemployment rate in November for other northwest Washington counties was: Skagit, 8.2 percent; Snohomish, 6.3 percent; Island, 5.3 percent; and San Juan, 5 percent. CareerPerfect.com Gains Contract with Online site CareerPerfect.com has opened an office in Bellingham to accommodate demand resulting from its new partnership with a major online site. CareerPerfect.com will provide professional résumé writing services for one of the top online career services site. “We may partner in other areas later,” says Bruce Wayne, CareerPerfect.com president and co-owner with Jeevan DeVore, vice president of operations. Because of the partnership, CareerPerfect.com has hired 15 people who will be based in its new Bellingham training and operations center at 4120 Meridian St., Suite 280. The company also has about 40 writers and six other staff members nationwide who work online. “We’ll be adding to that rapidly,” Wayne predicts, adding that another partnership may be announced soon. CareerPerfect.com focuses on providing complete solutions, guidance and tools (rather than tips) related to career planning, job finding, professional résumés and interviewing. It is the online division of Career Services Group, Inc., which was founded in 1978 in Spokane and later added an office in Seattle. It began developing an online career planning model in 1996 and sold its “brick-and-mortar” operation in 2000. Cherie’s Flowers Opens in Fairhaven Cherie Castro has opened Cherie’s Flowers by the Bay in Fairhaven. “I wanted to be my own boss,” says Castro. “... I’m willing to got the extra mile for what people need.” The flower and gift shop is located at 1102 Finnegan Way, a short street that connects the southern end of State Street with 11th and 12th streets. Cherie’s Flowers offers fresh flowers and gifts that emphasize Northwest and nautical themes. Gifts include framed prints, blooming plants and collectibles. Local delivery is available. Cherie’s Flowers also is affiliated with the Teleflora wire service, which enables it to send flowers throughout the world. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, although the hours may expand by late spring. For more information, call 733-LILY (5459) or visit www.cheriesflowers.biz. State’s Minimum Wage Rises to $6.90 The minimum wage in Washington rose 18 cents to $6.90 per hour on Jan. 1. Initiative 688, passed by the state’s voters in 1998, mandates that the minimum wage be adjust each year to reflect inflation. Workers who are 14 or 15 years old must be paid at least 85 percent of the minimum wage. For more information, visit www.lni.wa.gov or call the state Department of Labor and Industries, (360) 902-5316. MGM Solutions Launches Total Barcode.com MGM Solutions, Inc., of Bellingham has launched an online storefront, TotalBarcode.com. The new store offers point-of-sale equipment, inventory tracking devices and barcode generation software. TotalBarcode.com sells barcode scanners, receipt printers and magnetic card readers from Preh, Symbol, Intermec and Hand Held Products. It accepts major credit cards. MGM Solutions, which designed and hosts the TotalBarcode.com site, offers E-commerce development, custom information systems, information technology consulting, barcode applications and database programming. For more information, call 738-3118 or visit www.mgmsolutions.net. Sofie Attends Vending Machine Trade Show Don Sofie, owner of Bellingham-based B&P Vending, attended the National Automatic Merchandising Association’s National Expo in Chicago. Sofie, whose term as chair of the association’s board ended Dec. 31, says 316 exhibitors from around the world showcased a variety of new products sold in vending machines, including prescription eyeglasses and disposable cameras. “We saw machines that deliver ice cream, hot sandwiches and french fries,” Sofie remarks. “We even saw vending machines connected to the Internet.” B&P Vending serves more than 300 locations in Whatcom and Skagit counties, including Western Washington University, Georgia-Pacific and oil refineries. Evening of Giving at Mall Raises $20,000 The first Bellis Fair Evening of Giving in December helped 55 nonprofit organizations raise $20,000. The local groups sold $5 tickets for a special night of holiday shopping at the Bellingham mall. More than 4,500 people attended the three-hour event, which included in-store discounts, prize drawings and entertainment. The groups kept 100 percent of the money they raised. The event will be held again next year. Representatives of nonprofit organizations interested in participating may call the mall’s Cara Buckingham, 671-5895, ext. 21. EDC Annual Meeting Focusing on Economy The annual meeting of the Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council on Feb. 1 will feature presentations by three economic experts. Perspectives on the 2002 economy will be offered by Ken Mayland, president of ClearView Economics; Rich Nash, chief market strategist for Key Corp. and Dennis Murphy, dean of the College of Business and Economics at Western Washington University. The luncheon is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Northwood Hall, 3240 Northwest Ave., Bellingham. The cost is $20 for members and guests of members; $30 for nonmembers. Reservations and pre-payment are required by Jan. 25 by calling 676-4255, sending a fax to 647-9413 or sending e-mail to bwedc@bwedc.org. A registration form is available at the EDC’s Web site: www.bwedc.org. Networking Group Forms in Bellingham A chapter of the Business Network Alliance has formed in Bellingham. The networking group meets from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays at Bob’s Burgers & Brew in Fairhaven (1304 12th St.). The organization says it’s different from networking groups in a number of ways, including: • No initiation or monthly fees. • No requirement to exchange leads. • No hierarchy or officers. • No club exclusivity. For more information, call Tim Osterholm, 734-0602, or visit www.osterholm.info/bna. Steakhouse Opens on Meridian Street Bistecca Italian Steakhouse opened in December at 4156 Meridian St., Bellingham. The restaurant offers steaks, veal, seafood and chicken prepared in the Italian country style. Fine wine, antipasti and desserts also are available in the restaurant’s intimate, romantic atmosphere. Head chef Mark Moehn worked for several years with world-renowned chef Emeril Lagasse at the Commander’s Palace Restaurant of New Orleans. He graduated with honors from the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Ore., and spent time as a chef at Rover’s of Seattle. Bistecca (pronounced Bee-steak-ah) is located behind the Meridian Grill and next to the Holiday Inn Express in the Pacific Meridian Plaza retail/professional complex. Bistecca, Meridian Grill and Holiday Inn Express are owned by the Caitac Group. Bistecca is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and for private parties and special occasions. Reservations are recommended. For more information, call 647-1060. Prager’s Dental Practice Changes Name Dr. Jeffrey Prager has changed the name of his dental practice to Bellinghamsmiles.com Dental Care. Prager, who has 22 years of experience as a dentist, opened his Bellingham practice more than 15 years ago. He offers general, cosmetic and restorative dental services. Prager says he changed the practice’s name from Northwest Center for Esthetic Dentistry because Bellinghamsmiles.com better defines the variety of services he provides and it refers to his Web site. For more information, visit the site or call 671-4552. Investment Firm Ranks High in Stock Picking Raymond James & Associates, which has an office in Bellingham, placed first among 15 major firms in a stock-picking competition for the trailing 12-month period ending Sept. 30. The competition’s results are tabulated by Zacks Investment Research, Inc. Raymond James & Associates placed first with a one-year return of minus 14.7 percent, which compares to the 26.6-percent drop in the unmanaged Standard & Poor 500 index for the same period. The firm also finished fourth for the trailing five years with a 56.8-percent return. For more information, call Tim Maguire at the Bellingham office, 647-8625.
Schools Receive $32,000 from Haggen Program Schools in communities served by Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores received $32,000 from Haggen’s School Bucks program for the March-September period. Of that total, $18,800 went to schools in Whatcom County. Through the School Bucks program, Haggen C.A.R.D. holders can link their card number to a participating school. When those customers use their card to buy specially marked products, 5 cents per product is donated to the school of their choice. Since the inception of the School Bucks program in 1998, more than $116,000 has been raised. All approved and accredited private and public schools (K-12) in communities in which Haggen stores operate are eligible to participate. Schools can request information by calling (800) 995-1902. Harvest House Gains Larger Site Harvest House, a home décor and gift shop, moved Jan. 4 to a larger space inside Delft Square in downtown Lynden. The 1,200-square-foot space, formerly occupied by Northwest Experience, is three times as large as Harvest House’s previous location. Owners Andrew and Jackie Barrow say they will carry many of the lines that were in Northwest Experience that are exclusive in Whatcom County, including Bearfoots, Triliby’s barbecue sauce and Holmquist Hazelnuts. Harvest House also is adding a large selection of orchids and supplies. The Barrows grow the orchids under the name of Northwest Orchids and also sell them online at www.northwestorchids.com. Harvest House, located at 444 Front St., No. 206, is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 318-8680. Everson-Nooksack Chamber Launches Web Site The Everson-Nooksack Chamber of Commerce has launched its Web site and moved gained an office. The site — www.eversonnooksackchamber.org — includes information about the organization and its members, as well as maps of the two cities. The Everson-Nooksack Chamber also has established an office in the Mades building at 103 W. Main St., Everson. Saloman Smith Barney Moves to Barkley III Saloman Smith Barney moved its Bellingham office in December from downtown to the new Barkley Building III at 2200 Rimland Drive, Suite 105. “The relocation of this office reflects the optimism Salomon Smith Barney has for the outstanding growth of our business and our commitment to better serve our clients in Bellingham,” says Mark Logan, assistant branch manager. The branch includes eight financial consultants and four support staff members. Salomon Smith Barney is a global, full-service investment banking and securities brokerage firm. A subsidiary of Citigroup, the firm has 12,700 financial consultants in more than 500 offices across the United States. For more information, call the Bellingham office, 734-8500. Fair Market, Tesoro Enter Partnership The Lynden Fair Market and the Tesoro Fuel station in Lynden have become partners in an innovative promotion. The program, which began in November, offers customers the opportunity to save on gasoline by shopping at the supermarket. Customer purchase participating products only at The Fair Market and receive coupons at checkout for 3-5 cents off per gallon of gas. There is no limit to the number of coupons received. The coupons may be combined to save on gas (up to 15 free gallons at a time) at the Tesoro station on the Guide Meridian, just a block away from the Lynden Fair Market. At the station, customers scan the coupons at the pump and the price per gallon, depending on the number of coupons used, drops as they watch. Brown & Cole Stores, owner of the Lynden Fair Market, is studying other locations for future gas partnership programs. The Tesoro station is owned by Rick Mouw. Free Events Brochure Offered by CVB The 2002 Festivals and Events Brochure is now available for free from the Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention & Visitors Bureau. More than 165 annual events are listed in the calendar. They include major festivals such as Ski to Sea Festival and the Bellingham Festival of Music, as well as performances at local theaters, arts and crafts fairs and car shows. The calendar lists event dates, locations and phone numbers. To obtain copies of the brochure, visit the CVB’s main office at 904 Potter St., Bellingham, or the visitor centers at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and Bellis Fair mall. For more information, call 671-3990 or visit www.bellingham.org. Bus Company Gains Tulip Festival Contract Bellair Charters/Airporter Shuttle has been awarded a contract to provide shuttle service for the 2002 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The Ferndale-based company will operate 10 motorcoaches on five different routes between Mount Vernon and the tulip fields on April 13, 14, 20 and 21. Also, the Airporter Shuttle’s first southbound run of the day now arrives at SeaTac International Airport at 4:40 a.m. because of customer requests and increased security at the airport. The first run leaves Ferndale at 1:50 a.m. and Bellingham International Airport at 2 a.m. For more information and schedules, visit www.enjoytheride.com or call (866) 235-5247. Bellair Charters/Airporter Shuttle is owned by Larry Wickkiser of Wickkiser International Companies, Inc. It has provided airport shuttle and charter services in northwest Washington since 1985. Casino Donates $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters The Nooksack Tribe, through its Nooksack River Casino in Deming, has donated $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Whatcom County. “Nearly two-thirds of the children waiting to be matched with a mentor live outside Bellingham city limits,” says Tim Murphy, president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Whatcom County. “We are constantly searching for new partnerships to allow us to reach more of these kids and we’re extremely happy that the Nooksack Tribe has offered to help.” “We appreciate and recognized the work BBBS accomplishes on behalf of local youth and we’re pleased to support their effort by sharing our success,” says Art George, Nooksack Tribe chair. For more information about BBBS of Whatcom County, call 671-6400. Agents Form Team at ERA Fairhaven Three agents have formed a sales team at ERA Fairhaven Realty in Bellingham. The team includes David Moody, the firm’s top agent for 20 consecutive years; Tate White, an independent business owner for 11 years; and Michele Moody-White, who has an extensive background in the building industry and interior design. Grocery Stores Donate Hams to Food Banks Cost Cutter and Food Pavilion stores combined with Hormel Foods to donate more than 1,000 hams, worth more than $20,000, in December to local nonprofit organizations in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties. Recipient agencies included the Ferndale Food Bank, the Lighthouse Mission in Bellingham, the Anacortes Food Bank, Helping Hands in Skagit County and the Arlington Food Bank. Cost Cutter and Food Pavilion supermarkets are among the 35 stores owned by Brown & Cole Stores in Washington, Oregon and Montana. KBCB Gain Satellite Carriage KBCB World Television of Bellingham on Jan. 1 gained retransmission as a local station to satellite dishes through DirecTV and DISH Network. “This is a very exciting opportunity for KBCB to reach a potential 220,000 additional households in the Seattle/Tacoma (area),” says KBCB station manager Shelli Jones. “DirecTV and DISH carry local stations in 15 counties in Western Washington. This gives KBCB the opportunity to reach more of its target audience — the multicultural ethnic market — particularly the Asian population in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Kitsap counties, which we have been unable to reach with our over-the-air signal. KBCB is carried on DirecTV channel 24 and on the DISH Network on a channel that hadn’t been announced at press time. In addition to satellite carriage, KBCB Channel 24’s over-the-air signal allows its programming to reach viewers throughout Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan counties with a signal that targets an audience that doesn’t subscribe to cable television. KBCB is one of World Television’s eight multi-ethnic television stations focusing on international programming, delivering the latest news and dramas from the Philippines, Germany and China, as well as programming in English. Horizon Air Adds Bellingham Flights Horizon Air will increase its service between Bellingham and Seattle from seven to eight flights per day, beginning Feb. 3. “We have strong customer demand between Bellingham and Seattle,” says Patrick Zachwieja, Horizon Air vice president of marketing and planning. The increase in Horizon Air flights in Bellingham and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest coincides with the withdrawal of United Express last fall from Bellingham and other cities in the region. Effective Feb. 3, Horizon Air flights will leave Bellingham at 5:20 a.m., 6:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 1:35 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 7:55 p.m. Flights from Seattle will head toward Bellingham at 7:22 a.m., 20:20 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 6:55 p.m., 8:55 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. All flights between Bellingham and Seattle will continue to be operated with 37-seat Q200 turboprops. The airline has served Bellingham since 1987. For more information, visit horizonair.com. State Releases Construction Funds for WWU Projects Gov. Gary Locke has released funds for state construction projects, including several at Western Washington University, that were frozen following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Approved state funds now released for the university’s $57.1 million 2001-2003 capital budget include $32.5 million for a new communications building, $11.7 million for campus infrastructure development on its south campus and $12.8 million for preservation, renovation and access projects. “I have personally assured the governor that the new projects can be started within (2002),” says WWU President Karen Morse. “These projects will maximize job creation in the state and local economies.” Other WWU capital projects include the Campus Services Facility, scheduled for completion this summer, and a Student Recreation Center financed by student fees, with construction scheduled to begin this spring. Northwest Computer Adds Macintosh Repairs, Products Northwest Computer Supplies of Bellingham now offers complete diagnostic and repair service for Apple Macintosh computers. The company also is carrying a complete line of Macintosh peripherals and media in its downtown store at 1419 Cornwall Ave. Northwest Computer Supplies also announced an exclusive agreement with the Associated Student Bookstore at Western Washington University to offer a full line of computer systems for sale at the campus retail outlet. The Viking series of workstation will be built locally by the company, a computer manufacturer, technical service provider and parts and supplies distributor. International Absorbents Reports Higher Sales International Absorbents, a Bellingham-based developer and producer of environmentally friendly pet-care and industrial products, reports an increase in revenues of 25 percent for the third quarter ending Oct. 31. Revenues rose to $3.5 million versus $2.8 million for the same quarter a year ago. Pre-tax net income grew by 46 percent to $898,000 but after-tax income (profits) dipped slightly to $572,000 because of the deferred income tax provision. Revenues for the first nine months of the year have improved by 31 percent to a record $9.2 million. “New product lines have been placed with major pet retail chains and additional lines are scheduled for introduction in the first two quarters of (this) year,” says Gordon Ellis, chairman of International Absorbents. For more information about the publicly traded company, visit www.absorbent.com. Sonotech Awarded Product Patent Sonotech, Inc., of Bellingham has been granted a patent for an in vivo ultrasound coupling media and lubricant. “VivoSonic is the only ultrasound couplant to receive Federal Drug Administration clearance for in vivo biocompatible and biodegradable claims,” says Margaret Larson, president and chief executive officer of Sonotech. “We believe VivoSonic will become the new standard of practice for patient safety and reduction in hospital and physician liability.” The product was invented by Larson, John Rutter and Larry Smith. The ultrasound coupling and lubricating media is formulated and manufactured for sterility and in vivo biocompatibility. It is intended for use in procedures where there is potential that the coupling media may come into contact with organs, tissue and body fluids during surgery. Ultrasound couplant can be exposed to tissue, organs and fluids but, due to its in vivo biocompatibility, won’t adversely affect a patient. Sonotech, founded in 1987, is a medical and industrial ultrasound couplant developer, manufacturer and worldwide distributor. For more information, visit www.sonotech-inc.com. Computer Simulation Firm Releases Book NovaSim, a computer simulation company based in Bellingham, has released a user’s guide on one of the best-selling simulation software programs in the world. The book, “Learning SIMUL8: The Complete Guide,” has nearly 1,000 pages and has been endorsed by SIMUL8 Corp. NovaSim, founded in January 2000, uses sophisticated computer simulation technology to help clients improve their business processes. The company works with clients, including some Fortune 500 businesses, in many different industries, including manufacturing, call centers, health care and mining. For more information about the book, visit www.novasim.com/guidetoS8/. Bed Bath & Beyond Opens in Bellingham Bed Bath & Beyond, a nationwide chain of home-furnishings stores, opened its Bellingham store in December. The store is in Cordata Center at 4255 Meridian St. The company renovated the 27,600-square-foot space formerly occupied by Longs Drug until earlier in 2001. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Bed Bath & Beyond, founded in 1971, has more than 300 stores nationwide, including six in this state, all along or near the Interstate 5 corridor: Seattle, Lynnwood, Tukwila, Auburn, Redmond and Bellevue. The Bellingham store is among the company’s smallest. Most Bed Bath & Beyond stores are between 30,000 and 50,000 square feet, with some more than 80,000 square feet. For more information, call the Bellingham store, 756-1900. Radio Shack Canada Carrying AIST Product AIST announced that Radio Shack Canada has agreed to carry the company’s newest software for professional video productions. AIST released MoviePack 4.0 in early December. The software is a video editing, compositing, titling and audio solution for movie making, television production and Web streaming. It offers real-time previews, so editors can see effects and changes immediately without time-consuming rendering. MoviePack 4.0 also enables unlimited video and audio layers. Since AIST established its North American headquarters in Bellingham in October 2000, it has released MovieDV for consumers, Movie 3D for 3D animators and now MoviePack 4.0 for professionals into the North American video market. AIST is a leading European digital media software company. The company develops a wide range of digital imaging and video editing programs from professional-level applications for the BBC to entry-level software available for free at www.aist.com.
Sol Tech Providing On-site Servoce Cale Luna and Mark Shintaffer have launched Sol Tech, which provides on-site information technology service and consulting for businesses. The Bellingham business specializes in computer networking, security, repairs, tutoring and Internet connectivity. Luna, Sol Tech’s president, says its philosophy is to help companies use computer technology to their advantage to save both time and money while increasing performance. “Most users are unaware of the power their computer can do for them and their business,” Luna says. “We can help unlock the untapped resources of their computer, eliminate pesky glitches (lock-ups and blue screens), increase computer speed, implement new technology and help users better understand their software and programs.” Luna, a graduate of Western Washington University, has work experience as a computer consultant and technician. Shintaffer, Sol Tech’s chief executive officer, graduated from Bellingham Technical College’s Computer Network Engineering Technology Program and has worked as a computer technician. For more information, call 303-0438 or visit www.sol-technologies.com. SBDC Continues Lynden Appointments The Small Business Development Center of Western Washington University will continue to offer aid and technical assistance to current and prospective business owners in Lynden this year. The Lynden City Council included funds in the city’s 2002 budget to continue the program, which started last fall. Appointments with an SBDC staff member at the Lynden Chamber of Commerce office are available twice a month. The assistance is free for current and prospective business owners. To schedule an appointment, call the SBDC, 733-4014. The Chamber also has purchased books on business and marketing that can be borrowed from its office at 109 N. Sixth St. For more information, call the Chamber, 354-5995. |
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