IoCreative designs website for Madrona Bay
Bellingham-based marketing firm ioCreative recently launched a Website for Madrona Bay, a privately owned real estate acquisition and development firm.
The new Web site provides visitors with key information to the firm, including the diverse range of its real estate development and some of its current projects. Visit Madrona Bay’s new Website at www.madronabayllc.com.

Business Bank of Skagit County gets approval
The Business Bank of Skagit County (BBSC) has received conditional approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Department of Financial Institution Division of Banks and the State of Washington to begin operations. BBSC received the approval by securing more than $8 million in non-binding agreements from potential investors.
BBSC is owned and managed by local businesspeople and led by Chairman Don Gordon. The local investors saw a need in the Skagit Valley market for a bank that prioritizes small and medium sized private and nonprofit businesses and their employees.

Tech/community college employees want better pay
Part-time faculty members throughout Washington, including those at Skagit Community College, Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College are demanding competitive pay.
Part-time faculty members say they earn 57 percent of full-time salaries even though they normally teach the same classes as full-time faculty. Two bills under consideration in legislature would not allow these discrepancies.

Trillium subsidiary declares bankruptcy
Bellingham-based Trillium has placed its Denver subsidiary in Chapter 11 bankruptcy because it can’t make property payments there. Trillium repeatedly missed the property payments on large tracts of land owned in downtown Denver. The subsidiary, Wo-Do, bought the property in hopes of developing commercial buildings.

Harborside building planned
Rick Osburn and Doug Romano plan to build a mix of stores and condominiums at the former site of Blaine’s adult bookshop. The ground floor of the four-story building will include 3,500 squarefeet of retail space. The second and third floors will house four condominiums each and the top floor will be a penthouse.
Smaller condominiums will start at $275,000 and the penthouse will sell for $600,000. There will be underground parking, storage and office spaces.

Horizon expands to Snohomish County
Bellingham-based Horizon Bank opened a new branch in Marysville on March 5. The new branch is the bank’s 17th and will offer several new features, including a conference room for customers, a free Web Link center and a Money Matters center that offers a living-style lounge with a television updating stock prices regularly.

Samson awarded class NK certificate
Ferndale-based Samson, the largest worldwide producer of Dyneema HMPE marine ropes, was awarded Class NK certification for AmSteel-Blue, a high performance mooring line. This contract will advance the continuing replacement of wire rope vessel mooring lines around the world.

Frontier Financial buys shares of Skagit State Bank
Frontier Financial Corp. of Everett will move ahead with a stock purchase of more than $12 million from a Skagit State Bank stockholder. Banking regulators approved the purchase and once Frontier completes the process it will own 11.3 percent of Skagit’s outstanding shares.
Frontier president Mike Clementz said the company doesn’t want a board seat and has no intentions of running the company – it is simply an investment.

Skagit State Bank opens service center
Skagit State Bank opened a new service center a short distance from the bank’s main branch in Burlington, CEO Cheryl Bishop said. The service center, located on Fairhaven Avenue, was opened to deal with customer’s needs face-to-face, Bishop said.
This is just one of many new additions the bank plans to make in the coming months to aid customers at its 13 branches in Skagit, Whatcom and Snohomish counties.

Educational materials store opens on-line catalogue
Bellingham-based Launching Success Learning Store recently started a computerized ordering service and virtual catalogue for its regional customers. The store is able to offer this service to its customers thanks to assistance from the Dallas Pen Corporation.
Launching Success co-owner Sandy Hiorns said that this service will help its large base of regional customers, including those from Oak Harbor, Arlington and Camano Island access their products easier.

Biodiesel and hydrogen fuel cells could boost jobs
Innovative fuels such as biodiesel and hydrogen fuel cells should boost jobs in a growing industry due to a package of bills introduced by Representatives Brian Sullivan of Mukilteo and Jeff Morris of Anacortes.
The bills will work to help the industry by giving tax exemptions on sales, B&O and property taxes for six years after building manufacturing facilities. Morris said the bills are encouraging on three fronts. “We create a lot of new jobs, especially in rural areas,” he said. “We encourage energy independence with less oil from other countries. And we start using cleaner fuels which is better for public health.”

Precision Assistant celebrates one-year anniversary
Everson-based virtual assistant Precision Assistant celebrated its one-year anniversary in February. Precision Assistant provides Web design, marketing services and office support to business locally and nationally.

Northwest Electrical Services adds heating/air-conditioning
Burlington-based Northwest Electrical and Heating Services now offers residential heating and air-conditioning services. President Jim Anderson said the service was added after looking at different ways to better serve the company’s customers and finding a trustworthy and skilled person in the heating field.

Baron puts new product on the market
Baron Telecommunications, a Bellingham-based company, has added a new innovative Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology, Toshiba’s Strata CIX. This will allow customers to adopt a system integrating voice, data networking and application solutions.

Region promoted in Vancouver
The Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau promoted the Bellingham-Mount Baker region with an exhibit and a new promotional booth at the Feb. 18-20 Outdoor Adventure Travel Show in Vancouver, B.C.
Nearly 900 people visited the booth at the show, which featured everything from travel and golf to outdoor adventure attractions and activities.
The Lynden and Mount Baker chambers of commerce, Port of Bellingham and Best Western Heritage Inn acted as booth representatives.

Cozy Corner Books offers new services
The Cozy Corner Books and Coffee, a local neighborhood bookstore and coffee shop in Bellingham, now offers fax service, online book ordering, free wireless internet access, a children’s story hour and a hot soup of the day.

Case manager wins awards
Elisa Becerra received two Community Building awards for her work as a case manager and coordinator of the Familia Latina program at Brigid Collins Support Center.
The Whatcom County Commission on Children and Youth and the Family Policy Council Commission Network recognized Becerra for her work in providing family support services to the Spanish-speaking community.

Keown gets high marks
The American Express Financial Advisors’ annual client satisfaction survey ranked Bellingham’s Jeff Keown in the top 30 percent of 5,000 advisors.
Keown, who works at the Bellingham office of American Express Financial Advisors, averaged at least 90 points out of 100 on the survey.

Hotel/Motel taxes increase in San Juan County
San Juan County’s Hotel/Motel tax revenues increased in both November and December of 2004. The increases, by 50 percent in November and 19 percent in December, are not enough to mark a trend, County Auditor Si Stephens said.
There is a two-month lag between when the tax is collected and when the county receives it and Stephens said that once those numbers are in she will be able to better assess the situation.

City University expands offerings
City University recently expanded its program offerings at Bellingham Technical College to include a bachelor of science in business administration and a bachelor in art education.
City University has more than 12,000 students and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Cartwright Creative Group to promote Ski to Sea
Bellingham-based marketing, advertising and design firm Cartwright Creative Group (CCG) has contracted with the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce to design and produce promotional materials for the 2005 Ski to Sea event on Memorial Day weekend.
“Ski to Sea promotions have always been very creative and we’re looking forward to introducing a fresh approach that will continue to place Ski to Sea at the top of event designs,” CCG design director Bonnie Warren said.

Call for vendors
The Fairhaven Association is calling for vendors for its It All Ends in Fairhaven Festival on May 29 – Ski to Sea Sunday. Vendors are required to provide their own tents and water.
Spaces are $170 each; reserve early for space preference and to ensure electrical hookup.

Clearwater expands
Bellingham’s Clearwater Communi-cations has expanded its consulting services – increasing both its client base and the variety of customers it serves.
Founder Jim Boyle, who opened Clearwater in July 2004, has 15 years of management and fund-raising experience with nonprofit organizations and government agencies. The consulting firm capitalizes on his expertise by serving area nonprofits, local businesses and political campaigns.

Law office moves after remodel
The law office of Roy, Simmons and Parsons has moved to 1223 Commercial Street in Bellingham. After seven years at Crown Plaza, the partners bought the building on Commercial last year and did an extensive remodel before moving in.
Scaboria Construction of Bellingham was in charge of remodeling the 1930 building and retaining its original character and charm.
In addition to Roy, Simmons and Parsons, the law offices of Steve Shropshire and Tory Johnson also relocated to the building.

Lynden dance studio opens new site
A Gift of Dance jazz and ballet studio has opened a second location at the 300 Front Street Building in Lynden. The studio also hired new instructor Hope Harrell and added three new classes.
The new location allows the studio to more than double its capacity in offering classes to its clients, owner Heather Goble said.

LumenIQ signs deal with Motorola
Motorola will license Bellingham-based LumenIQ’s AFIS-IQ imaging technology for use in fingerprint identification labs across the world.
Motorola, which has about 25 percent of the computerized fingerprint identification systems market, will use LumenIQ’s system as a standard feature on new installations and upgrades of its Printrak BIS print identification system.
This deal marks LumenIQ’s first big breakthrough in the commercialization of its system and officials hope this will make marketing other technology easier.

Vander Haak dairy creates anaerobic digester
The Vander Haak Dairy has the first anaerobic digester in Washington state. The digester is the culmination of a project that teamed a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, engineering from Andgar and the Vander Haak dairy.
Anaerobic digesters convert waste materials, such as manure, into renewable energy and other value-added products. The manure is heated and broken down by bacteria. In the process methane gas is collected and used to generate electricity. Puget Sound Energy has signed up to buy the electricity as part of its Green Power Program.
Additionally, the digester reduces odor, improves water quality and reduces methane emissions.

Skagit Chamber chooses new tourism logo
The Skagit County Chamber of Commerce Executives recently announced the development of their new marketing identity for Skagit tourism. The logo was designed by grafixCORP of Mount Vernon.
Skagit Tourism is the name the Executives will use to market tourism in and around Skagit County. The logo will be used in all marketing materials as well as on the skagittourism.com Web site.
GrafixCORP is a full-service graphic design studio that provides visual communications in print, illustration and Web site development. The company also recently finished a redesign of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Web site.

Skagit County featured in Washington CEO
Skagit County’s industry, agriculture, tourism and quality of life was featured in the March issue of Washington CEO, a regional business journal.
Included in the magazine was a feature on Janicki Industries of Sedro-Wooley and an in-depth report on the yacht-building industry in Anacortes and LaConner.

Burlington Farmers Market gets axed
Lack of customer and vendor turnout doomed the Burlington Farmers Market. Additional advertising money from the city, grants to help renovate the old fire hall and a strong volunteer group were not enough to save the market this year.
Because customers weren’t showing up – due to other farmers markets, stands set up at local farms and a large produce stand near the market – vendors were forced to take their goods to larger markets to make money.

Policy center’s small business project praised
Washington Policy Center’s Small Business Project, a four-year project aimed at increasing the voice of small business owners in Washington state, was named a finalist to receive the “Best Practices” award from the U.S. Small Business Administration. This honor is awarded to innovative programs that inspire entrepreneurship and economic growth. The Center was one of only two non-governmental agencies to be selected for the award.
The Small Business Project was started in 2001 with the goal of highlighting obstacles to success faced by small businesses in the form of governmental regulations and bureaucracy. Project activities include releasing studies, conducting business roundtables, holding statewide conferences and testifying before legislative committees. For more information visit smallbusinessproject.org.

Survey-engineer firm opens office
Pacific Surveying & Engineering, a Bellingham-based survey-engineering firm, opened a new office in Bothell and promoted Adam Nelson to partner.
Nelson, who has been with the company for six years, will work out of the Bellingham office to manage boundary and topographic survey projects for design and development. He will also be involved with the introduction and implementation of new software, technology and equipment.

Skagit County’s luxury home market exploding
In the last two years Skagit County’s high-end housing market has exploded, going from virtually no $1 million listings two-years ago to 15 homes selling above that benchmark in 2004. There are currently 13 homes on the market listed at $1 million or more, including one in the $3 million range.
Most of the homes in that price range offer waterfront views and many of the buyers are moving into the area to afford the homes.

Taylor Shellfish Farms receives NOAA award
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration has given Taylor Shellfish Farms its 2005 Award for Excellence in Business Leadership in Coastal and Ocean Resource Management. The award recognizes a business that has made significant contributions to improve the coastal or ocean environment and demonstrates the ability to balance business and the environment.
The Shelton-based Taylor Shellfish also farms shellfish in Bow. The company has been committed to sustainable growing practices and preserving clean water for more than 100 years.

House approves Friday Harbor transportation project
A Friday Harbor transportation project will receive $800,000, which was included in H.R. 3 Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEALU) that passed through the full House of Representatives on March 10.
The bill includes money for road reconstruction and sidewalk improvements to Guard Street from Marguerite Place to Park Street. The bill could also include U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen’s provision to increase ferry funding by as much as $200 million between 2004 and 2009.

Family Care Network expands to Fairhaven
Dr. Scott Stockburger joined Family Care Network and established a medical practice in Fairhaven. Stockburger said his move to Fairhaven brings medical care to an underserved area of town.
“Compared to other parts of town the south side of Bellingham has very little in the way of medical services.” Stockburger said. “As Bellingham grows the need for medical care grows as well. I am fortunate to be able to offer a local neighborhood clinic on this side of town.”
Stockburger is a graduate of the University of Arkansas College of Medicine. He has worked for four years at Sea Mar Community Health Center in Bellingham. Stockburger is married to the Rev. Andrea McMillin Stockburger; they have two children.

Legendary Slalom cancelled
One of the shoddiest snow years on record has caused the cancellation of the 2005 Legendary Banked Slalom. Duncan Howat, Mt. Baker Ski Area’s general manager, said that the mountains base was 23 inches and melting when he decided to cancel the race on March 10.
The race, which draws about 275 racers and many more spectators, was originally rescheduled from Feb. 4 through the 6 to April 1 through 3 in hopes that the snow would come.
The Banked Slalom is traditionally one of the biggest weekends for Glacier-area, hospitality-based businesses.

Former Bon celebrates ‘Macy’s Day’
The Bellis Fair and Cascade Mall’s Bon department stores celebrated their name change to Macys with a ‘Macy’s Day Celebration’ on Saturday, March 12.
The events included live music, refreshments and gift cards with monetary values between $5 and $500. The name change is part of parent company Federated Department Stores plan to eliminate regional department stores names to create a national identity for Macy’s brand.

Senate passes measure to curb lawsuits against farmers
The senate has passed legislation to create disincentives to filing frivolous lawsuits against farmers. The bill also mandates warning families buying land next to farmers about normal farming practices.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, a democrat from Camano Island, said that defending cases about odor, dust and other agricultural-based issues can cost farmers thousands of dollars.
Haugen said that neighbors need to be warned of the hazards before they buy a home. Anyone making an unverified claim may also be forced to pay a fee for expenses incurred during an investigation.

Florist closes shop
I.V Wilson Florist of Bellingham closed shop in the first week of March. The company had been in business since 1918, when Ira Ventors Wilson opened the store on Holly Street. Since that time it had a host of owners, most notably Dave Bargelt who had owned and operated the store for 40 years before selling it to Jerry and Margarita Stecca in 2001.
Most recently the business was located on Birchwood Avenue.

Faber named “Master Builder” for Walton project
Faber Brothers Construction recently won the “Master Builders” award from the Star Building systems for the best design and build of a large warehouse in 2004. Star Buiding systems presented Faber Brothers with the award at its sales conference in Las Vegas in February.
The company received the award for its work on the Pepsi distribution center in Ferndale owned by Walton Beverage. The Faber design team presented John Walton and Phyl Isle with a plaque to hang in their lobby.

Bush wants to raise BPA rates
Amid strong resistance from Northwest lawmakers President George W. Bush is attempting to force the Bonneville Power Administration to sell its electricity at market rates.
This plan could raise rates by as much as 20 percent and cost Pacific Northwest ratepayers $1.3 billion. Just as important to lawmakers is the cost for businesses and the number of jobs the plan could cost the state.
Robert McCullough, who prepared a report on the plan’s affect on the job market at the request of Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash, estimated that Washington would lose between 21,000 and 32,000 jobs by the end of the decade.

Alcoa-Intalco plant will close if BPA rates rise as proposed
Alcoa-Intalco officials have confirmed that if the White House’s budget proposal is approved the Ferndale plant will close, causing about 200 Whatcom County workers to lose their jobs. Alcoa spokesman Jack Spears said the company does not believe Bush’s proposal to raise the Bonneville Power Administration rates will be approved.
The company has asked for a low-cost power package beginning in 2006.

Early Hwy 20 reopening nice surprise for businesses
One of the shortest snow seasons in recent history is good news for Highway 20 business owners: tourism dollars will once again flow into their cash registers.
With the road closed, bird watchers and ice climbers become restaurant and convenience store’s only customers of consequence. Most businesses will see a four-fold increase in business with the road reopened.

“Oracle of Omaha” offers yearly financial advice
Warren Buffet’s annual letter to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway cautioned investors not to overtrade and not to abandon ship simply because everyone else is jumping.
Buffet wrote that these two traits have caused investors to largely miss out on American businesses terrific financial results of the past 35 years.
Buffet said that excessively trading stocks is investors’ biggest enemy. Second, investors should do some real research instead of making quick decisions based on tips and fads. Finally, investors need to ride out stocks that are down instead of making untimely exits after periods of stagnation or decline.
Landowners want to change zoning in Oak Harbor
If four landowners have their way more development could be taking place along Highway 20.
The landowners want to change the Comprehensive Plan to allow new types of uses on their properties – mainly more commercial development.
The volunteers of the Comprehensive Plan Task Force have heard the citizens’ requests and will make their decision later this month. The proposals include: changing 1.86 acres near NE Narrows Avenue from residential office to community commercial; changing the zoning of six parcels on the corner of Highway 20 and Whidbey Avenue form residential office to community commercial; changing the zoning of two small parcels at the southwest corner of SW Eighth Avenue and Highway 20 from high-density residential to community commercial; and, changing the land-use designation and zoning of 4 acres on the highway at Haga Road from low-density residential to high-density residential.

Sumas businesses donate cash for road
Four industrial businesses in Sumas gave $20,000 to the Sumas City Council March 14. The contribution was matched by an additional $20,000 from the Port of Bellingham’s Small City Fund for Economic Development.
The contributions, made by Sumas Cogeneration, Socco Forest Products, Cedarprime and the Calprine Corporation, are aimed at helping the city pay for a 600-foot extension of the city’s heavy haul road.
The city will also apply for local and state grants to build a road that can handle trucks carrying overweight loads from Canada. The extension of the road would reduce transportation costs and time, making the industrial land in Sumas more attractive to companies in Canada.

Fire damages boat repair business
Fire destroyed Sea Street Marine, a Bellingham-based boat repair business, on March 14.
Although the fire took only five minutes for firefighters to contain, all the business’ tools inside the 60-by-80 foot building were ruined. No boats were inside the business and authorities reported no injuries.

Sleep center earns accreditation
Madrona Medical Group Sleep Disorders Center has received its American Academy of Sleep Medicine accreditation. The five-year accreditation is earned by sleep centers that exceed all standards for professional quality health care.
There are 773 AASM accredited sleep centers across the country. Of the 21 in Washington state Madrona is the only one north of Everett.

Pacific Financial Corporation splits stock
Pacific Financial Corporation’s Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split. The split will be accomplished through a stock dividend of one additional common share for each common share outstanding, to be paid April 4, 2005, to all holders of record of the company’s common stock as of March 15, 2005.
Pacific Financial is the holding company for the Bank of the Pacific. The Bank is a $437 million corporation that operates 15 branches in Grays Harbor, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Whatcom counties.

Local business owner walks Appalachians for Habitat for Humanity
Linda Welch and her son Dave, Jr. are walking the Appalachian Trail for Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County. Linda and her husband Dave own Clearwater Plumbing in Bellingham and frequently donate professional services to homes built by Habitat.
The 2,100-mile trip is expected to take five months and the Welches are accepting individual and business pledges for miles walked. Donations and pledges can be made through the Whatcom County’s Habitat for Humanity. To pledge call (360) 715-9170.
Vandalism in Fairhaven
Fairhaven developers are hiring night watchmen after getting hit by a string of vandalism. Developer Mike Bradburn was the first to notice the vandalism after a hoodlum drilled more than 50 holes into the copper water lines at his 12th Street Village site.

NOAA tests locally made boat
Marine scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tested a research boast that could cut the cost of operations for the organization.
The boat, built by Bellingham-based Aluminum Chambered Boats Inc., cost only about $200,000 to build and could be used to survey rockfish habitats and reduce overfishing.

Tourism on rise: City/County web site sees visits spike
The Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site received almost 230,000 unique visitors in 2004 – a visitor increase of more than 85 percent.
The bureau’s marketing effort, began at the beginning of 2004, is credited with much of the increase. The effort includes a logo of an orca and an image of Mount Baker with the slogan, “Bellingham Mount Baker, A Refreshing Change.”
Other factors that influenced the increase include national articles about Bellingham and the bureau’s active marketing of the area in new markets.

Anacortes accounting firm moves
John P. Baker, CPA, recently moved his business to 2801 Commercial Ave., suite two, in Anacortes.
The public accounting firm prepares tax returns for individuals in addition to providing payroll services.

Psychotherapist expands to Anacortes
Kristin Fernald, a psychotherapist with a practice on Lopez Island, is beginning a new practice in Anacortes.

Special-T Striping & Sign sells portion of its business
Special-T Striping & Sign recently sold its auto and truck accessory sales and installation division to Links Auto and Truck Accessories.
Tim Donelly of Special-T feels this is a great opportunity for all involved. The move will allow Special-T to focus on commercial signage such as auto, residential and commercial window tinting for customers in Whatcom and Skagit counties. It will also help Links Auto and Truck expand its business.

Nantucket Inn to reopen
The Nantucket Inn in Anacortes has reopened under previous owners Lynda and Doug Bransford. The Bed & Breakfast on Commercial Avenue opens just in time for the Tulip Festival and is accepting reservations for garden weddings this summer.

Oak Harbor’s tourism master plan getting mixed reviews
Although the Oak Harbor City Council still supports consultant Roger Brooks’ $32 million master tourism plan, there seems to be funding problems with large portions of the proposal. The plan centers on turning Oak Harbor’s waterfront into a tourist attraction.
Much of the problem lies around a waterfront beach project that is short nearly $6 million and $6.6 million for improvements to the pier.
But Brooks said he has found many low-interest loans and grants that the city needs to apply for. More important to Brooks is giving city leaders a blueprint to follow and giving leadership on a waterfront that he thinks has potential to be on of the best in Washington – and be a top-notch tourist attraction.
Although $32 million is a lot of money, Brooks said that the city will definitely see a return on its investment because of the tourism revenue the new waterfront will generate.
While funding problems exist, the Oak Harbor City Council has consistently backed Brooks’ plan. The master plan, which Brooks is getting as much as $52,000 to put together, includes major improvements to Pioneer Way, an amphi-

Clothing company expands to Apogee building
Mac and Jac, a clothing company with lines that include XOXO and Bisou Bisou has signed a lease to use more than 45,000 square feet of the former Apogee building on Irongate.
The company will use the building as a distribution center.

Leadership Skagit wins award
Leadership Skagit was inducted into the Washington State University Extension’s “Hall of Champions” on March 2. The “Hall of Champions” recognizes extraordinary programs making a difference in Washington communities. In only it’s second year, Leadership Skagit students have already provided solid assistance to ten community programs. The sixty current and emerging leaders from the 2004 and 2005 classes have studied local issues and learned leadership skills and ethics. WSU Extension presented the award to the partnership that created and sustains Leadership Skagit: Skagit Valley College - Laura Cailloux, Director of the Business Resource Center; the Economic Development Association of Skagit County - Don Wick, Executive Director; and WSU Learning Center for Skagit, Island & San Juan, Debra Lancaster, Coordinator.

La Conner Bar changes ownership
La Conner’s Marina Bistro and Bar change of owners means new options for patrons. Included are a pool table, darts and homemade hamburgers.
Bear Hindahl, a La Conner resident, bought the bar in February.

Yacht builders to send work to China
Start-up yacht builder Pacific Shores International and Bayview Edison will join forces to produce partially completed yachts that will be shipped overseas as kits and finished by Chinese workers.
The yachts will be sent back to America and sold here. Two subsidiary companies of Pacific Shores, American Expedition Yachts and Bayview Edison Industries will split the work in America before it is sent overseas.

Skagit County businesscited for safety violation
The Department of Labor and Industries fined NW Forest Fibre Products, a Concrete company, $76,960 for workplace safety violations that contributed to the death of an employee last September.
Keith Cain, 28, of Sedro-Woolley died Sept. 14, 2004, when the rag he was using to wipe water off a debarker drum caught between two spinning tires and dragged him into the machine, which strips bark from tree limbs.
An L&I investigation concluded that Cain’s employer did not ensure that the machine could not operate while being maintained or repaired. The company was also cited for inadequate safety training and a lack of protective devices on numerous pieces of hazardous equipment. The company has 15 days to appeal L&I’s findings.

Honda’s highest honor awarded to Northwest Honda
Northwest Honda of Bellingham has earned the Honda President’s Award for outstanding performance in 2004. The prestigious award is presented only to select dealerships that exhibit excellence throughout all areas of their operations, including customer satisfaction, service and sales.
Northwest Honda is only one of 149 out of more than 1,000 Honda automobile dealerships in the United States to qualify for the award by meeting or exceeding the operating standards established in 2004.
“We’re proud to offer not just a quality vehicle, but an outstanding sales and service staff, and we are honored by receiving this prestigious award,” said Scott Alves, general manager of Northwest Honda.

Gregoire proposes death tax
In her budget proposal Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire proposed a new ‘softer estate tax,’ just more than a month after the Washington Supreme Court voted unanimously that the tax was illegal.
The death tax is paid by survivors on the estate left by deceased relatives and is a contributing factor why two-thirds of family-run businesses do not make it to the third generation, according the National Federation of Independent Business.
The death tax was originally abolished in 1981 but the state Department of Revenue effectively kept in place until early last month.
Gregoire’s proposal calls for exempting family farmers and raising the assessed value on estates so relatives can see more of the money.

Cat Condo Realtor in Lynden
Spoiling cats has become big business for Lynden resident Dale Serbousek, who calls himself the Cat Condo Realtor. With models reaching over 6 feet tall and weighing in at nearly 100 pounds, Cat Condo Heaven ( www.CatCondoHeaven.com) has gone from selling a few a week to shipping out over 100 condos per month; most headed for locations across the US, Canada, and even some as far as Europe.Beginning 3 years ago as a side job to make some extra cash, Serbousek has leveraged internet marketing, on-demand shipping, and color and accessory options to meet the growing demand for these lavish pieces of furniture designed exclusively for cats and their owners.
The demand has yet to catch on locally, says Dale, citing that 99 percent of his customers are from larger cities where cats may not have access to going outside to play. Dale said he hopes to hire a few workers in the near future and expand more into the local market of pet stores and gift boutiques.

Women’s conference talks about nontraditional jobs
Bellingham Technical College hosted the Road Less Graveled on March 17 for women in trades and technology. The free conference gave women a chance to get hands-on experiences, watch demonstrations and employers encouraged women to seek jobs in nontraditional fields.

State Bank of Concrete changes hands
Jim Bishop and his family have sold their shares of Skagit State Bank and bought the State Bank of Concrete.
The Washington Department of Financial Institutions approved the sale last Month and Bishop and his two children are now the sole owners of the newly renamed Summit Bank. The bank was founded in 1914 and has assets of about $21 million.
The bank will keep all employees of State Bank and Jim Bishop will serve as chief executive officer of the bank. His son James Bishop II, will serve as president and chief credit officer, and his daughter Elise Cosgrove, will serve as vice president.

Friday Harbor authorizes view mitigation permit
Misty Todd’s six building project on Front Street of Friday Harbor has received the view mitigation she sought more than a year ago. The Friday Harbor Town Council unanimously voted to give Todd the permit in early March.
The buildings will be 49 percent residential and 51 percent commercial and will have a stairway that connects Front and West streets.

Brown & Cole to sell stores
Bellingham-based Brown & Cole is selling eight of its 31 stores in Washington state. Locally, two of the stores are in the Arlington area, one is in Burlington and one is in Stanwood. The other stores the company sold are in Yakima, Pasco, Kennewick and Okanogan.
President Craig Cole said all the sales were heavily affected by WalMart’s opening in those stores areas.

Dairy farmers get relief from weight limits
The House Transportation Committee passed a bill that will allow farmers in Washington state to move overweight manure spreaders on county roads. The bill, introduced by Rep. Doug Ericksen, will let farmers move the spreaders on local roads without being patrolled, flagged, lighted and signed.
“Many of these are small farmers just trying to move implements from one area to another,” Ericksen said. “We shouldn’t place undue restrictions on these kinds of traditional farming practices.”

Small businesses thrive with help from center
Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center counseled 481 businesses and provided 4,634 hours of counseling in 2004. The center, a service of Western’s College of Business and Economics, gave free- and low-cost technical assistance that included counseling, peer support and business training that helped save or create 415 jobs.
The center also helped clients obtain $14 million in loans and investments last year. Director Tom Dorr said that the center thrives because of an enthusiastic business community.
“It’s a pleasure to work with such an engaged local business community,” Dorr said.

Precision Assistant launches new Web site
Everson-based Precision Assistant launched a new Web site to celebrate its one-year anniversary.
The new site for the virtual assistant company is http://www.precisionaassistant.com.

Friday Harbor Suites goes Western
After 18 months of preparation the Friday Harbor Suites is now a Best Western. Owner Don Jang bought the hotel in August 2004 and immediately began working to meet Best Western’s standards.
While the hotel is now a Best Western, it is not a franchise. The company operates as a co-op and provides group advertising and reservation services. In order to meet the standards the hotel added a continental breakfast, a banquet room that seats 120, new pillowtop mattresses, down comforters, gas fireplaces, new carpeting, bathroom fixtures and furniture.

Hollywood hairdresser buys salon
After more than 25 years of hair design – 18 years in Burbank, California working with movie industry clients – Patti Ortiz has purchased The Spoiled Brat Salon on Commercial Street in downtown Bellingham.
Ortiz said she chose Bellingham because she wants to raise her adopted daughter in a place with culture, vibrancy and a high quality of life. She is joined at the salon by Michele Cox, who has 20 years of experience in hair design and makeup, and Shalyn Fairbanks, who brings four years of experience with bridal makeup, hair color and cuts.

GOAL program great for businesses
Bruce Vilders has a win-win proposition for Skagit County business owners. Free laborers, no liability insurance costs and the chance to train and evaluate employees for 180 hours with no strings attached.
Vilders offers this sweet, nine-week deal to businesses as intern director of Sedro-Woolley School District’s GOAL program, which places junior and senior students in a wide range of work-place learning environments throughout the county.
“It’s an excellent fit for businesses and students,” Vilders said. “They can train the students and see if it’s a good fit, get 180 free hours and the school district picks up the liability insurance. Businesses are going to jump for this opportunity and once they’ve had an intern they usually want more.”
In the last 18 months 80 students have been placed at 39 different businesses. Students have worked everywhere from Skagit Harley Davidson and Skagit Powersports to All-State Insurance in Burlington and Choice Auto Repair Service in Sedro -oolley.
Vilders estimates that 25- to 30-percent of interns are eventually hired by the company they work for.
The GOAL program is based out of the State Street Alternative High School, which caters to students who have had to overcome major obstacles in life. Vilders said that this can initially scare employers, but many have told him the students thrive in real-life, work world situations.
“The businesses have all been pleased,” Vilders said. “Like I said once they’ve had one intern they normally want more.”

Bark N Bath wins Spider Award
Bark N Bath, a Bellingham dog shampoo manufacturer, was recently awarded JK Bowman’s coveted Spider Award for their Web site, www. Barknbath.com.
The Spider Award is meant to recognize Web sites that achieve top-end ranking with the major search engines. Web sites are measurable and objectively tested before being awarded this recognition.
Bark N Bath was also recently interviewed by Pet Product News, a pet industry magazine, about its Web site. The interview was for an article on how web logs can help pet product Web sites increase their visibility.

Mt. Bakery expands, adds oven
Mt. Bakery owner Olivier Vrambout can still remember biking baked goods to customers throughout Bellingham. He also remembers carrying his infant baby daughter on his back while he and his wife Shelly were baking all the goods at the bakery.
Now, four years later, Mt. Bakery has added 300 square feet to its bakery, a special oven to bake artisan breads in and Sean Hughes, an acclaimed baker with more than 20 years of experience. The bakery also has 13 employees.
“I wanted to take a step back,” Vrambout said. “I was really lucky to get somebody with a lot of knowledge, someone who could step from day one.”
Vrambout is originally from Charleroi in Southeast Belgium. He grew up helping his grandmother, a baker, in her shop in Belgium. The early experience has served him well as he has won The Best of Bellingham numerous times and has many loyal customers.
Vrambout said he bakes his goods, including croissants, baguettes morning pastries, brioche and desserts, with as much local produce as possible. By using fresh, local products Vrambout said he is able to make the best baked goods and also keep his money in the local economy.
Once a month Vrambout also offers a six course, European style meal. The theme of each meal changes based on what local produce is the freshest. All 24 people at the dinner sit at one table and the $45 fee includes all beverages.

Industrial Credit Union announce new branch
Industrial Credit Union is pleased to announce the opening its newest branch in Ferndale. ICU opened its first Ferndale branch in Pioneer Center more than ten-years ago. The new branch was necessary because of the company’s growing membership.
The bank opened April 1 and offers a full range of financial services, including two drive-up lanes, a no-surcharge drive-up ATM, and safety deposit boxes. The branch will be open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.