Redbook analyses Washington business climate
The Association of Washington Business and the Washington Research Council have completed the 2007 Competitiveness Redbook—a report that provides a snapshot of Washington’s business climate compared to that of all 50 states in the nation.
While many key factors demonstrate an increased strong performance, the usual suspects continue to reduce Washington’s competitiveness.
“Since 1990, Washington has added more than 450,000 jobs, propelled to the fourth highest in R&D expenditures, and invested more than $350 million in venture capital,” AWB President Don Brunell said.
“The flip side is that businesses in Washington still face one of the most costly tax burdens in the nation. Unemployment insurance taxes are still the highest in the nation, health spending has almost doubled and the state minimum wage continues to rise,” Brunell said.
The 2007 Redbook provides a valuable set of indicators that track and evaluate the competitiveness of Washington’s business climate. The Redbook contains more than 50 specific areas of measurement that help rank Washington compared all of the other 49 states.
For a more detailed analysis of the Redbook, or to obtain a copy, please contact AWB’s Shawn Sullivan at ShawnS@awb.org, or by calling (360) 943-1600. The 2007 Competitiveness Redbook costs $7, with shipping included.

Study finds area homes significantly overpriced
Single-family homes in the region are overvalued at a higher rate than the national average, according to a recently published study.
The study, which was conducted in the second quarter of 2006 by National City Corp., a Cleveland-based banking company, ranked homes in Bellingham as 54.3 percent overvalued and Mount Vernon 46 percent overvalued. Seattle was overpriced by 33.8 percent and Tacoma 35.3 percent.
Naples, Fla., led the U.S. with homes overvalued by 101.1 percent while Bend, Ore., was second at 89.3 percent.

Competitors form alliance to strengthen real estate market
Leading Whatcom County developers, builders, bankers and real estate experts have joined together to form an alliance called the “Rising Tide Marketing Group.”
This group includes Homestead Northwest, Trillium Corporation and Bank of the Pacific, along with individuals including Ken Imus, Mike Kent, Gary Nelson and Bill Grant. The joint marketing campaign will help introduce growing numbers of Canadian buyers to the areas of Blaine, Semiahmoo and Birch Bay.
The group has just launched an informative website www.UndiscoveredWaterfront.com which is geared to introduce Canadians to the region while helping to guide potential buyers of second homes and condominiums to a myriad of new products while demonstrating how simple it is for Canadians to invest in and own property in Whatcom County.

Moratorium issued on Cordata building permits
The City of Bellingham has issued a notice of moratorium on building permits within the Cordata Planned Unit Development (PUD). Back in mid-September, the city sent notices to all property owners within the Cordata PUD stating that a moratorium was pending. A determination has now been made that 3.25 million square feet of construction has occurred within the area. Pursuant to a condition within the zoning of the area, no more building permits that add additional square footage may be issued until an agreement is reached with Trillium Corporation regarding the financing and construction of certain roads that will serve the area.
The original land use approval for Cordata was granted by Whatcom County prior to annexation by the city. The specific condition can be found in its entirety in the Exhibit C to the Guide Meridian zoning table, Area 27, Section A.1(21) at www.cob.org/pcd/planning/Neighborhood-plan-zone.htm.
“Building permits will continue to be accepted and processed, but will not be issued,” said Stewart. “Applicants will have the option of keeping their building permit on hold pending a lifting of the moratorium, or requesting a denial of the permit that could then be appealed to the Hearing Examiner,” he explained. The City will lift the moratorium as soon as an agreement is reached regarding the road construction and financing, and negotiations are underway to reach that agreement.
For the latest information on the status of the moratorium, please click on “Cordata Permit Moratorium” under “Top Issues” at www.cob.org.

Angel Investors to gather, share investment knowledge
Bellingham Angel Group and Angel Forum of Vancouver announced a pair of workshops – one for investors only and one for entrepreneurs and investors – that will take place this fall. The workshops will both be all-day sessions, running from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The first session will take place on Nov. 20 at the Morgan Creek Golf Club in Surrey, B.C. The second session is scheduled for Dec. 7 at Fox Hall, Hampton Airport Inn in Bellingham.
The Nov. 20 event, “Angel Investing – An Overview”, is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of angel investing for private investors with limited or no angel investment experience. The seminar is offered in a “protected environment”, without solicitations from service providers and entrepreneurs looking for angel financing. This seminar features local experts in high growth ventures and early stage investing opportunities, including seasoned angel investors with diverse investment experience, tax and legal experts, and angel-financed entrepreneurs.
On Dec. 7, “Doing the Deal: Due Diligence and Term Sheet”, is an advanced workshop designed especially for those who have already completed the ‘Power of Angel Investing’ Seminar, or are investors, entrepreneurs, service providers or economic developers with some prior experience in private equity investing. The first half of the session is a section on due diligence, reviewing standard procedures for due diligence and reviewing case studies. The afternoon session will be a highly interactive workshop covering term sheet considerations, legal issues and advanced deal terms.
Bellingham Angel Group and Angel Forum Vancouver sponsor these events, in conjunction with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, as part of its series “The Power of Angel Investing”.

Two Dog Timberworks project receives national honor
Timber Home Living Magazine recently selected one of Two Dog Timberworks’ projects as their Timber Home of the Year for 2006. The award is announced in the December 2006 issue of the magazine, available on newsstands now.
The editors chose the Marshall Residence, located in Blaine, for its unique use of timbers. “The first thing that grabbed us is the gorgeous Douglas fir scissor-truss system,” said Donna Peak of Timber Home Living.
Two Dog Timberworks creates and installs custom timberwork nationwide. See photos of the Blaine residence and other fine work by Two Dog Timberworks at www.twodogtimberworks.com.
Christian Health Care Center expands
The Christian Health Care Center in Lynden opened a $2 million addition in October, dedicated to short-term rehabilitation care.
“The new addition will allow us to provide therapy in an environment dedicated exclusively to the rehabilitation process, contributing to more positive and successful experiences for clients,” Therapy Director Steve Lee said.
Short-term rehabilitation therapy is designed to help clients regain recently lost physical functions due to illness or injury, resulting in more independence. Short-term clients then can return to their prior living situation or relocate to residential facilities where less care is required. Medical problems that may require short-term rehabilitation therapy include heart attacks and heart surgeries, strokes, orthopedic injuries and surgeries, pneumonia and other lung disorders.
CHC, founded in 1956, now is the largest skilled-nursing facility in Whatcom County with 142 beds and is one of only two non-profit skilled-nursing facilities in the county. While better known for long-term care, CHCC has provided short-term rehabilitation services for the past 15 years. However, the additional building offers many new benefits for the community, according to Executive Director Anita Tallman.

Radio museum welcomes new board members
Arlan Norman, Dean of the College of Sciences and Technology at Western Washington University and Jim Darling, Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham both agreed to join the museum board.
After hiring its first executive director, Frank Ordway, a year ago the museum launched an array of new public programs, acquired significant additions to its collection and is currently renovating a major portion of its building on Bay Street.
Located in downtown Bellingham, the museum highlights the historic exploration of electricity, radio and related inventions that changed the course of human history.
Opportunity Council adds coffee shop
The Opportunity Council’s new coffee shop is now open on the first floor of the Opportunity Council’s office on Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham.
Fresh Start Espresso is a social enterprise program designed to provide an environment that will serve as a “classroom” for job training programs. It will also generate revenue to support the mission of the agency by providing the highest quality goods and services.
In addition to a variety of coffee drinks, the shop sells baked goods, chips, yogurt and cold beverages.

Aero-Skagit receives new ambulance
Eastern Skagit County residents can count on a more dependable Advanced Life Support service thanks to a new ambulance received by Aero-Skagit Emergency Services.
Skagit County Medic One received a 2006 North Star ambulance from Braun Northwest, an ambulance manufacturer in Chehalis.
The new vehicle cost about $147,000 and will replace Aero-Skagit’s main response unit stationed at its headquarters in Concrete. The new ambulance will join two other units at the station.

Skagit Valley Casino Resort opens hotel
The Skagit Ridge Hotel offers deluxe accommodations and more than 4,000 square-feet of meeting and special event facilities.
The 41-room, AAA Three Diamond-rated property is managed by Skagit Valley Casino Resort (The Skagit) and owned by Bow Hill Enterprises, LLC.
Capturing scenic views of the North Cascades and the Skagit Valley, The Skagit Ridge Hotel offers a private setting for individuals, meetings, weddings, tour groups and other group gatherings. Featuring luxurious appointments throughout, the new property includes 40 drooms, one suite and a “great room” lobby with a two-story fireplace.
The newly opened property provides meeting and conference facilities, including the “The Summit Room” on the top floor and “The Ridge Courtyard & Terrace.” The outdoor terrace venue easily seats 70 for group functions or dining alfresco.

Skagit Valley Title Investors buys First American Title
Skagit Valley Title Investors, LLC, purchased the majority interest in First American Title Company of Skagit County.
The title company issues real estate title insurance products and performs escrow services in connection with the transfer of title and loan closings in Skagit County. It has its headquarters in Mount Vernon, with branches in Anacortes and Burlington.
Gale Hickok, the managing member of the LLC and the present general manager of the title company, states the purpose was to keep the company locally owned, which would preserve local employment and control.

Racks & Beyond marks 10th anniversary
Racks & Beyond, formerly Rack Attack, in west Mount Vernon, celebrated 10 years in business at the end of August. There have been many changes over the years, which prompted the name change earlier this year.
Shaun and Wendy Goodman still own the business and feel they are reaching their stride with many new products coming on board, which include a line of wheelchair/mobility scooter lifts for vehicles and vinyl graphic kits.

Bellingham alternative medical clinic renamed
Dr. Jean McFadden Layton and Edward Layton renamed their clinic Natural Health Bellingham.
Together the naturopathic physician and acupuncturist provide the best of eastern and western medical assistance in a caring, listening atmosphere.
“Lots of folks come to us in pain, usually pain they have lived with for a long time,” Jean Layton said. “Ed and I can choose from our many modalities to relieve this symptom, from acupuncture and craniosacral therapy to herbs and supplements. Then we can go beyond just the symptom and find the cause of the imbalance that led to the pain.”

Birch Bay luxury condominiums completed
Terrell Creek Landing, Birch Bay’s newest luxury bay view condominiums and retail center, are accepting offers. Each condo features high ceilings, hardwood floors, single slab granite countertops, gas fireplaces and soaking tubs with sunset viewing windows. Residential prices range from $325,000 to $650,000.
Terrell Creek Landing also has eight ground floor retail units available for lease. These units range in size from 1,000-1,200 square feet. The retail spaces are ideal for a variety of businesses including banks, clothing stores, dry cleaners, art galleries and bookstores.

Whatcom County Library awards three grants
The Friends of the Deming Library received $1,000 for their building expansion project. This amount adds to a growing fund for their library expansion targeted at $500,000. Other contributors to the building fund include local businesses, the Nooksack Tribe, other foundation grants and personal donations made by local library users and supporters.
An award of $250 was given to the library’s Youth Services Department to add to funds from Delta Kappa Gamma, Friends of the Bellingham Public Library, Ferndale Kiwanis and Lynden Breakfast Kiwanis to make possible the Begin with Books project which provides families of newborns in Whatcom County with a book and information alerting them to the importance of reading to the youngest member of the family.
An award of $800 was given to a new project called Teens Read Write Draw. This program is designed to inspire teen writing and art, some of which will be published in an anthology edited by local teens. The grant from the foundation will cover the cost of publishing the teen anthology.

RE Sources to promote farm plastics recycling
RE Sources, a Bellingham-based environmental non-profit company recently signed a $34,000 agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).
The “Conservation Innovation Grant,” one of 10 awarded in Washington State, will help RE Sources expand its agricultural plastics recycling education program to a seven-county area with a goal of reducing air emissions when these plastics are recycled rather than burned.
RE Sources will work with the conservation districts of all seven counties, along with solid waste departments, recycling collection companies and air quality agencies. By supporting easy and cost-effective ways to recycle, the partner groups plan to collect at least 70 tons of plastics in the region, thereby reducing open burning by an estimated 8 percent or more.

Pro CNC Inc. receives ISO 9001: 2000 Certification
Pro CNC Inc. has just received its certification for ISO 9001:2000 from TV, an international accrediting body. The company passed the final three-day audit in August with zero findings. Pro CNC’s quality management system is entirely paperless and will allow the company to improve its commitment to customer satisfaction.
Currently, only approximately 50,000 organizations in North America are certified to the ISO 9001 standard. ISO 9001 was founded in 1987 as an internationally accepted quality management certification system to define, identify and confirm quality benchmarks within organizations.
Pro CNC Inc. is a precision CNC machine shop that specializes in close tolerance machined metal and plastic components for a variety of fields including the medical, aerospace, and commercial industries.

Woodsmiths marks 25th year in business
Woodsmiths announces its 25th year in business. Starting in downtown Bellingham on Chestnut Street in 1981, moving to Cordatta in the early 90’s for five years, then returning to downtown, at their present location on Cornwall Avenue for the last nine years. Woodsmiths is a local, family-owned business, offering the best in solid wood furniture.

Festival of Trees set for late November in Mount Vernon
The Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation will kick off the holiday season in style with the Festival of Trees, sponsored by Whidbey Island Bank, Nov. 24-26 at St. Joseph Center in Mount Vernon.
The event will include the annual Gala Evening and Auction at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, “Laughing All the Way” Comedy Night at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 and the Public Days, Saturday, Nov. 25 and Sunday, Nov. 26.
All proceeds from the Festival of Trees events will benefit Cancer Care Services at Skagit Valley Hospital. The fund-raising event is part of the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation’s capital campaign to raise $4 million to help equip the new Regional Cancer Care Center.

Mother Baby Center announces annual fundraiser
Mother Baby Center’s Cascadia Wine Auction and Dinner will be held Nov. 17 from 6-9 pm at Broadway Hall. Participants will enjoy wine tasting from local and national wineries and the fabulous Italian gourmet dinner offerings from Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant.
Wine columnist and auctioneer Tom DiNardo will lead silent and live auctions. Auction items include wines, day and weekend trip and experience packages, local art and even a week in Paris.
Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Tickets are available for purchase at Mother Baby Center, 851 Coho Way, Suite 301, Michael’s Books, 109 Grand Avenue and Metcalf Hodges, P.S., 770 E. Holly Street.

MacGregor plaid books win Key Bank Excellence award
MacGregor Publishing Company was one of six businesses honored by the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce with its 2006 Key Bank Business Excellence Awards. Dating back to 1993, the Key Bank annual awards honor businesses that are financially successful and show a strong commitment to the community.
Other 2006 award winners include Acura of Lynnwood, Billy McHale’s Restaurant, The Journal newspapers, MILA, Inc., and the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women.
Known as the “Plaid Book’ for use of the distinctive MacGregor Clan tartan on all its covers, MacGregor Publishing Company employs 63 persons and publishes telephone directories in the five Northwest counties from the King-Snohomish County line to the Canadian border.

Mount Baker Theatre adds new show on Nov. 17
DRUM! will make its Bellingham premiere at the Mount Baker Theatre on Friday, Nov. 17 at 8:00pm. Tickets are on sale now.
DRUM! is Nova Scotia’s spectacular new musical production featuring 20 musicians, dancers, drummers, and singers from four of the principle cultures - Black, Acadian, Aboriginal, and Celtic - brought together in a heart-pumping fusion of music, dance, poetry, video, rhythm, and song.
Recently, DRUM! was nominated for two East Coast Music Awards. It is produced in association with the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia.

Family owned seafood market marks 10 years in business
Vis Seafoods is celebrated its 10th anniversary with an open house in October.
Owner Cassandra Wright and her parents John and Peggy Karuza opened the Bellingham store in November 1996.
“We would like to thank our customers for 10 years of support and look forward to providing Whatcom County with the best wild seafood selection in Washington State,” Wright said.
Located on James Street, Vis Seafoods offers fresh wild seafood, canned items, fish processing, a large frozen selection, a new sashimi selection, beer and wine, locally made cooking condiments, and a large selection of Northwest art, serving ware, and complimentary kitchen items.

Percussionist to appear with Whatcom Symphony
Internationally acclaimed percussion artist Evelyn Glennie will appear with the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 in the Mount Baker Theatre.
Glennie will also teach a master class sponsored by Western Washington University’s music department. The class, free and open to the public, will take place on Thursday, Nov. 9, 10:30-12:00 noon in the Performing Arts Center.

Habitat for Humanity setsNovember meetings in Sumas
Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County will hold two home ownership informational meetings at the City Hall in Sumas. Meetings will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15 and Nov. 29 for the purpose of explaining the self-help home ownership model employed by Habitat for Humanity.
Qualificaitons will be reviewed, and assistance will be available to fill out the required application. Habitat homes are sold using a zero interest 20-year loan, and range in cost of approximately $70,000 to $75,000. Homes applied for at this time will be build in 2007 in Sumas. Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County is currently constructing their 22nd and 23rd homes, using volunteer labor, discounted and donated materials. For more information or to donate, volunteer or apply, telephone the Bellingham office at 360-715-9170.

Whatcom Literacy Council gains national accreditation
The Whatcom Literacy Council was awarded accredited status by ProLiteracy America, the U.S. Programs Division of ProLiteracy Worldwide. The council has served Whatcom County for 27 years helping adults improve their reading, mathematics, listening, writing, speaking and technology skills.