Retail sales up in all four counties
First-quarter retail sales in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties showed significant increase over the same period last year, according to a recent Washington State Department of Revenue quarterly review.
Whatcom County saw a 10 percent increase over last year’s first quarter with $289 million in sales in the retail trade sector; Skagit County had a 7.2 percent increase with $269 million in sales; Island County increased by 6.8 percent with $67.8 million in sales; and, San Juan County swelled by 15.6 percent with $16.3 million in sales.
The state defines retail trade as the taxable sales of building materials and hardware, general merchandise, food, auto dealers, apparel, furnishings, eating and drinking establishments, and miscellaneous retail stores.

Pharmacy board approves SV College program
The Skagit Valley College medical assistant program has received notification from the Washington State Board of Pharmacy that the college has been granted approval for its new pharmacy technician certificate offered this fall.
According to a recent press release, the four-quarter certificate will prepare students to become state-certified technicians through the state Board of Pharmacy.

SpookShop.com expands
Just in time for Halloween, SpookShop.com has moved into a larger Bellingham warehouse and expanded into the Seattle Market with a new store in Federal Way.
Giving the company twice the space of its original warehouse in downtown Bellingham, the 6,250-square-foot warehouse is located at 800 Marine Drive.
In addition to the seasonal store at Bellis Fair mall, the new Federal Way store came about this year after another seasonal Halloween store manager contacted SpookShop owners James and Laurel Burke about opening a location near Seattle.
“She didn’t like that (her current store) didn’t carry higher-end costumes or props, and liked the merchandise she saw on our website. So we agreed to open a store there, and she and her crew will run it,” James Burke said in a recent press release.
Located in the Commons at SeaTac in Federal Way, the new store will feature 10,000 square feet of retail space.
“We’ll actually have two stores, across the hall from each other. There will be 6,000 square feet of costumes, wigs and accessories on one side, and another 4,000 square feet of masks and props on the others,” Burke said.
SpookShop opened in 1998 and SpookShop.com was launched in 2000.
For more details call 360-752-1668 or visit www.spookshop.com

Yary Photography collects awards.
The photographers from Bellingham’s Yary Photography were awarded 32 individual “Accolades of Excellence” in an international photography contest held by Wedding and Portrait Photographers International.
Open to professionals around the world, the photography contest awards photos that show an excellent use of imagination, creativity, skill, and technique.
Tina Muller was awarded twenty different awards and Radley Muller and Erin Zatrine were awarded six each.
The photos can be viewed at Yary Photography’s studio, 1210 Bay St. in downtown Bellingham, or online at www.yaryphoto.net.

Sustainable Connections holds mouth-watering
event to thank contributors
Local non-profit business network Sustainable Connections recently thanked its major contributors and partners with a gourmet assortment of locally grown, caught, and made foods including Bread Farm breads, wild salmon and halibut from Vis Seafood, Mead from Honey Moon, wine from Mount Baker Vineyards, local farm produce, baked apples from Bellewood Acres apple farm, pasta from Pastazza, local cheese, Holmquist hazelnuts, truffles from Chocolate Necessities, and more.
The Sustainable Connections board sponsored and coordinated the evening where attendees dined outdoors under a large tent with candlelight, fresh flowers, and acoustic guitar.
“We wanted to do this to thank the people and organizations who recognize the extraordinary work of SC through their partnership or contributions,” said Scott Mauerman, board member and owner of Laurel Landscaping.
Sustainable Connections’ local, independently owned business members are committed to healthy environments, strong communities, meaningful employment and buying local first.

Bridal Salon moves into something new
Jennifer Leigh Bridal, best known for her handmade designer veils, tiarasand hair jewelry, is moving from a tiny space in Sycamore Square to a new4,500-square-foot salon and design studio in the Harris Square Building at10th & Harris Ave in Fairhaven.Leigh’s work has been featured in major bridal magazines, includingcovers on Modern Bride, the Knot and Town & Country. Her designs are oftenpaired with such designers as Vera Wang, Lazarro, and Reem Acra. Town &Country recently listed Jennifer Leigh in their top “must-haves” for thestylish bride along with Vera Wang, Cartier and and Nicole Miller.Along with the move, Neiman Marcus has just contracted for Jennifer Leigh veils and hair jewelry for their 12 bridal salons.
May Bridal Group, which owns David’sBridal, Priscilla of Boston and Melissa Sweet salons has also agreed tostock their Priscilla of Boston salons with Jennifer Leigh designs. Jennifer Leigh has designed veils and headpieces for Melissa Sweet since 1998. Jennifer Leigh currently sells her designs to over 100 stores across North America and Asia.
“These new clients are a huge opportunity for us,” said Leigh. “With thenew clients, sales are projected to triple within 18 months. We are excitedto be expanding locally to handle the business.” All of Leigh’s products arehand-made in Whatcom County.
The company has also hired Angela McClung as its first North American Sales Executive. McLung was formerly the Melissa Sweet Bridal National Sales Rep basedin Atlanta, responsible for all wholesale accounts including Neiman Marcus,Saks Fifth Ave and Bergdorf Goodman. Leigh currently has 12 employees.The new salon will feature Jennifer Leigh designer veils, tiaras and hairjewelry, as well as expand into designer wedding gowns, bridesmaids, shoes and more.

Airport tree blunder results in mitigation plan
The Port of Anacortes and its contractor Ebenal General Inc. of Bellingham are trying to make amends through a mitigation plan after a subcontractor mistakenly cut down 51 trees near the Anacortes Airport.
The damage: 44 trees that were supposed to stay as part of a buffer around the airport, and seven trees on adjacent private property.
The tree cutting was required by Federal Aviation Administration regulations that control the height of trees around airports. The port and the city of Anacortes had passed a long-term plan for the airport last April, and the trees were cut down on the first day of work on a long-awaited tree felling and fencing project at the airport.

Blaine Planning Commission says no to 20-year-old plan
The Blaine Planning Commission is opposing a controversial development plan to build a 22-acre, 72-unit project on the Semiahmoo spit. Trillium Corporation had included the project in a 1985 development plan, but the commission is not satisfied with the developer’s latest proposal due to density issues.
Numerous Blaine residents, who have enjoyed decades of unmitigated public access to the spit, are speaking out against the project.
Trillium is working to modify its proposal.

ACB gains lucrative Marine contract
Aluminum Chambered Boats Inc. of Bellingham was recently commissioned to build 62 boats for the U.S. Marine Corps. The $20 million contract has spurred a new round of hires to work a second shift at the Fairhaven facility. A total of about 14 new employees will be added to the company’s 80 existing employees.
The rugged 24-foot boats can be used in bridge construction and in pulling rafts or barges.

Bellingham students top national, state SAT scores
Bellingham School District graduates scored higher than their peers throughout the nation and the state in the most recent round of SAT testing, according to numbers released by the College Board.
“What is most encouraging about these numbers is that more of our students take the SAT every year and our scores continue to climb,” said Superintendent Dale E. Kinsley.


Local Red Cross Chapters urge disaster relief support
The Mt. Baker Chapter of the Red Cross is urging an increase in financial gifts towards the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, clothing, and other assistance to those in need.
“In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Mt. Baker Chapter continues to play an important role in the response and recovery efforts on the country’s gulf coast,” the press release reads.
According to Executive Director Maureen Enegren, the Chapter has already sent six Disaster Response volunteers from Whatcom County and Skagit Valley to storm affected areas in Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi and has several more volunteers ready to fly out.
The Mt. Baker Chapter of the Red Cross is currently deploying trained Red Cross volunteers only. This will be a lengthy relief operation and the chapter is currently conducting classes to train new volunteers to enable them to respond in upcoming months both in storm affected areas and locally.
Welfare inquiries are being accepted only for family members with a health issue, such as insulin-dependent diabetics, bedridden or paralyzed people, people who have had a recent heart attack or stroke. If a family member is in an area hit by Katrina and has a known medical emergency, call the chapter at 360-733-3290.
Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or make a secure on-line contribution at www.redcross.org. Donations can also be mailed directly to American Red Cross, Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or at 2111 King Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, or online at www.mtbakerredcross.org.

Everyday Fitness doubles in size
Everyday Fitness Center recently doubled in size, enabling the Ferndale business to increase its offerings for men and women of all ages.
The 4,000-square-foot expansion includes a personal/group training area.
“We now have plenty of room for people who want to be in training programs, as well as those who enjoy working out on their own,” said co-owner Josh Lehman.
With the additional space, Everyday Fitness Center now is offering more programs, including a new Men on Weights program to complement its Women on Weights program.
In conjunction with the expansion, Everyday Fitness Center has added three certified personal trainers: co-owner Tim Gould, Jason Brewer, and Jim Slaugh.
Everyday Fitness Center offers a full line of cardiovascular equipment, machine weights, free weights, and abdominal equipment. Located in the Carnation Building at 1920 Main St., Suite 11, its hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. For more information, call 360-380-4405 or visit www.everydayfitnessinc.com.

Soroptimist celebrates Women in Business
Founded in 1921, Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who provide volunteer service to their communities. Almost 100,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based and international projects benefiting women and girls. The name, Soroptimist, means “best for women,” and that’s what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are women at their best working to help other women to be their best.
Soroptimist membership provides a variety of benefits including personal fulfillment, friendships all over the world, networking, leadership development, and an avenue to serve as a mentor reaching out to women at the beginning of their professional lives.
To learn more, contact www.soroptimistnwr.com.

Blaine breaks ground on boardwalk
The City of Blaine has officially broken ground in the construction of its long-awaited downtown boardwalk overlooking Drayton Harbor. Mayor John Liebert, County Executive Pete Kremen, City Manager Gary Tomsic and others were on hand for the event.“What an exciting time for us in Blaine,” said Liebert. Brad O’Neill, planning commission chairperson and long time proponent of the boardwalk, recognized those who had contributed to this 22-year effort. Roger Ellingson, representing the Chamber of Commerce, challenged the community of Blaine to not let up and work even harder in this and other downtown revitalization efforts. The two million dollar project is being constructed by Ebenal General Inc. and will take approximately six months to complete.

Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro celebrates 10 years
The Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro celebrated its 10th year in business on downtown Bellingham’s Railroad Avenue with festivities and live music by Spoonshine and other local musicians this past month.
Over the past 10 years, Boundary Bay has become a leading Pacific Northwest microbrewery and one of the top award-winning breweries in the state, with eight house brews available and nine seasonal brews rotating through the taps. This year alone, 11 Boundary Bay brews brought home medals from the North American Beer Awards.
In that time, the bistro has added an outdoor deck and offers a diverse menu of appetizers and meals, as well as wine and beer, opening the Boundary Bay to families and people of all ages. The Boundary Bay has added a beer garden in recent years, which hosts performances by local musicians most every night of every week.
“It just keeps evolving,” said Ed Bennett, owner of the Boundary Bay Brewing Company. “My philosophy is not to be the biggest brewery around but to produce really high quality beers. I think the way to do that is through slow steady growth.”
In the past decade, the Boundary Bay has also established a strong tradition of giving back to the community through donations of kegs and time for charity events, hosting fundraisers and through other means.

Moving and Storage Solutions marks tenth anniversary
Moving and Storage Solutions, Inc. in Bellingham will be commemorating 10 years in business with a series of events happening during the month of November.

Beginning as a small independent moving company in 1995, Moving and Storage Solutions, Inc. had garage-band-style humble beginnings, operating at first out of a basement. David Powell, current president and principal owner, sought to fill a niche in the market place by offering low-cost, dependable, quality moving services. Specializing for seven years in local moves, Moving and Storage Solutions, Inc. entered an agency relationship in 2003 with Paul Arpin Van Lines, Inc., the seventh largest van line in the country, and one of the top-ranked carriers in the nation in customer satisfaction by government, corporate and military clients, in an effort to meet the needs of their customer base moving in and out of the Northwest.
To commemorate their 10th anniversary, there will be an “Open House” anniversary party scheduled on Friday Nov. 4 from 5 pm to 8 pm, at their facility located at 4600 Guide Meridian, Ste.108.

Casino pours foundation for 10 hours
This past month, the Silver Reef Casino, in partnership with Aecon construction poured the foundation for their new six story hotel and spa. This process took over 10 hours and included more than 150 trucks delivering over 40,500 cubic feet of concrete weighing over 6,000,000 pounds.
“A foundation of this complexity is not commonplace to an area such as Whatcom County,” said Louie Jmaiff of Aecon. The casino sits on the Nooksack River Delta created thousands of years ago. The soil is extremely soft and required the drilling of 450 underground stone columns to help support the six-story hotel tower that will become the tallest building in Ferndale.
“This is a monumental day for the Silver Reef Casino and the Lummi Nation,” said Harlan G. Oppenheim, general manager of the Silver Reef Casino and CEO for Merit Management Group. “The placing of the foundation is symbolic of the hard work that the casino and the Nation have done to get to this day.”
This phase of expansion will bring the size of Silver Reef Casino to 135,000 square feet. The total number of slot machines will increase to 675, and 75 new jobs will be added.

Whatcom Women’s Network offers networking opportunities, free pizza
The newly formed Whatcom Women’s Network will be proving there is such thing as a free lunch every Thursday in October at Izzy’s Pizza in Bellingham. The WWN is extending a complimentary lunch invitation to local business professionals in search of new networking opportunities.
The first 20 women to dine with Whatcom Women’s Network will receive complimentary salad, pizza, hot food bar entrees and beverages, according to a news release from Virginia Malmquist, the group’s director.
“All guests are welcome,” she said.
Whatcom Women’s Network was formed in September by a group of business professionals who meet weekly to trade information about their goods and services in addition to exchanging business referrals. Membership is limited to one person per professional category to eliminate competition between members, according to the news release.
The lunches run from noon to 1:15 p.m. every Thursday in October at Izzy’s Pizza. For more information, call Malmquist at 360-319-4266 or vmalmquist@netzero.net.

International Credit Union Day marks Fairhaven opening
Whatcom Educational Credit Union is planning to extend International Credit Union Day for an entire week starting Oct. 17. WECU will celebrate with drawings at each branch, a branch opening party at its Fairhaven branch, and treats for its members.
International Credit Union Day is celebrated every year on the third Thursday in October.
In 1848, Freidrich Raiffeisen, mayor of Flammersfeld, Germany, conceived of the idea for a credit union to help ease the distress of local farmers suffering through a famine. Today more than 120 million people belong to 40,258 credit unions around the world. Member service is the foundation of the credit union movement.

A-1 Builders celebrates 50 years in business
A-1 Builders is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in October. In business since 1955, the Bellingham-based company has grown and evolved from a foundation and repair firm, to an environmentally committed full-service remodeling and custom homebuilder. Rick Dubrow, owner and first hammer of A-1 Builders since 1975, has led the company through several significant shifts.
Shortly after purchasing A-1 Builders, Dubrow shifted the business focus from foundation work to remodeling. Building $100,000 kitchens with two dishwashers and three sinks for a single family home didn’t fit with his personal values as an ecologist and environmentalist. Initially he did not see a way to rationalize the apparent differences between traditional business values and his personal values, but, triggered by a conversation with a close friend, Dubrow eventually decided to become a builder focused on sustainability.
Now, 15 years since the fork in the road, A-1 Builders is known for quality design and construction and its focus on sustainable business practices. The company’s continued success demonstrates the significant demand that exists for sustainable building.
Earlier this summer the company was awarded a Five Star highest rating by EnviroStars, the region’s pollution prevention recognition program. A-1 Builders was recognized for its leadership in hazardous waste reduction within the construction industry and for its dedication to a healthy environment in all aspects of its business.
In honor of the company’s 50th anniversary, A-1 Builders erected a “bikeport” for the Community Food Co-op in Bellingham.
“The Co-op is about community and very much in line with the nature of A-1 it’s a business with a triple bottom line like ours – concern for the environment and community as well as the financial bottom line,” said Dubrow.

Bramble Berry Inc. purchases competitor
Bramble Berry Inc. recently announced the purchase of Whispering Scent Sations, an online fragrance company owned by Cybilla Decker of the Texas-based Cybilla.com.
“We have long admired Cybilla’s wide range of fragrance oils and are excited to add her entire line of fragrances to our existing line. Additionally, Cybilla has a very loyal client base that we are excited to serve with both Cybilla’s fragrances and Bramble Berry’s comprehensive line of soap and candle making supplies,” said Anne-Marie Faiola, founder of the Bellingham-based Bramble Berry. “Since Bramble Berry already has a large warehouse and fully functioning e-commerce cart, it will be a fairly smooth transition for Cybilla’s customers.”Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Bramble Berry opened in 1998 with the goal of providing the highest quality soap-making ingredients and best customer support possible to soapmakers around the country.
From humble beginnings in Faiola’s living room, the company has grown rapidly and now serves thousands of soapmakers across the country from a 11,000-square-foot Bellingham facility.

Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber names winners
The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently held its annual awards luncheon at the newly reopened Giuseppe’s Restaurant in downtown Bellingham.
Here are the winners:
• 2005 Small Business of the Year: Print and Copy Factory
• 2005 Large Business of the Year: Mt. Baker Ski Area
• 2005 Man of the Year: Tut Asmundson
• 2005 Woman of the Year: Vi Zurline
• 2005 Non-Profit of the Year: Lydia Place

Japanese company donates to Mount Vernon Ag research
The Northwest Washington Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon recently received news of a $100,000 donation by the Japan-based Sakata Seed Corp. and its subsidiary, the Alf Christianson Seed Co.
The donation will go towards building a new vegetable pathology lab at the center, which is part of an $8 million expansion at the research center. The project also includes a modern facility for agricultural and horticultural research faculty.
Staffed by Washington State University faculty, the center’s work is focused on agriculture in northwest Washington, including Skagit, Island, Whatcom, Snohomish and San Juan counties.
With the Sakata-Christianson donation, the committee has raised approximately two-thirds of its goal of $1.5 million in private donations.
So far, the largest contributions have been made by Sakuma Farms of Burlington, the Northwest Agricultural Research Foundation, and the Wilbur-Ellis Co.

Trillium accused in Metropolitan Mortgage case
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently filed a civil suit accusing Bellingham-based Trillium Corp. and its founder, President and CEO David Syre of fraud related to the folding of Metropolitan Mortgage and Securities of Spokane.
According to the SEC complaint, a questionable real estate transaction between a company under Trillium and Metropolitan allowed Trillium to buy Metropolitan real estate with funds from Metropolitan, which allowed Metropolitan to a $10 million gain in 2002. This and other transactions not related to Trillium allowed the mortgage company to show a net gain for the year rather than a loss. Meanwhile, SEC maintains that Metropolitan raised nearly $100 million from investors who thought Metropolitan was profitable.
In a prepared statement from David Blair, Trillium Corp.’s vice president of administration, Trillium defends the charges.
“We are confident that the judicial process will confirm that Trillium is a victim of, not a participant in, Metropolitan’s and its insiders’ misdeeds,” said Blair.

Northwest Indian College begins expansion project
Northwest Indian College recently broke ground on phase one of a $50 million expansion project. The $8 million, 10-month first phase includes a dining hall, a day-care center, additional classrooms and offices, science labs, and student dorms. Paid for through grants and fundraising, the total 15-year expansion plan includes 25 new buildings across from the old campus on a 7.5-acre site on Kwina Road.
The college has raised $5 million for the project, including a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant for a natural science lab.
As one of the 35 federally recognized tribal colleges and universities in the United States, Northwest Indian College is a two-year college with approximately 1,000 to 1,200 students.

Skagit Valley Hospital launches major expansion
More than 200 residents of the community, elected officials and special guests joined in Skagit Valley Hospital’s ground-breaking celebration this past month.
More than doubling the size of the regional hospital, the 220,000 square-foot expansion project will feature a three-story addition with full basement, located north of the existing hospital between 13th and 15th streets in Mount Vernon. At an estimated cost of $87.8 million, the project is being designed by Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz of Seattle and built by Hoffman Construction Company of Seattle. The expansion will include a larger emergency and trauma unit, a modern surgical services department with six operating rooms, expanded space for critical care, a larger family birth center, and additional private patient rooms.
A $62.1 million bond issue approved by voters of Public Hospital District No. 1 in April 2004 will pay for the majority of the project, with the balance financed by hospital revenue bonds.

Edward-Jones pledges over $1 million for disaster relief
Seven Bellingham investment representatives for the St. Louis-based financial services firm Edward Jones made contributions totaling more than $1 million to aid victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that devastated the Gulf Coast.
The firm donated $250,000 directly to the American Red Cross and an additional $750,000 to Red Cross relief efforts in communities where Edward Jones branches are located. The firm is also matching its associates’ donations to the American Red Cross and intends to collect client donations for the relief effort.
“This is a tragedy that hits close to home for all of us,” said Tim Villhauer, investment representative. “We have branch offices located in the Gulf Coast, and our investment representatives and their staffs work and live in the area. We hope this donation can help ease the suffering of our friends, neighbors, colleagues and clients.”

Emerald Bay named second best decorated
Emerald Bay Events took the runner up prize for Best Decorated Booth at the Fall Bridal Spectacular in Seattle. The event was put on by Banquet and Event Resource and, was held at the Washington State Convention Center. Emerald Bay Events was one of the sponsors of the show and with help from Belle Flora and Pacific Party Canopy, took the runner-up prize for their booth.