WSSC achieves Five-star EnviroStar ranking
Sanitation Service Company (SSC), the 2006 Washington State Recycler of the Year, recently achieved a five-star rank from the Whatcom County EnviroStars program. SSC earned five EnviroStars, the highest rating possible, for their leadership activities in reduction of both hazardous and nonhazardous solid wastes, and for their sustainable business practices. The award was presented last month by Penni Lemperes, Whatcom County Solid Waste Specialist, and Alice Cords, local EnviroStars Coordinator, at the company headquarters on Roeder Avenue in Bellingham. SSC is the first garbage and recycling collection company in Washington to be included in the EnviroStars program.
Lemperes said SSC has placed a strong emphasis on fleet maintenance and driver training to reduce spills, leaks and emissions from company vehicles. “SSC has pioneered the commercial use of bio-diesel in Whatcom County fleets, a move which has resulted in decreased diesel emissions from their fleet of 60 vehicles and greater availability of biodiesel fuel in the local area,” said Lemperes.
Cords noted the recent purchase of an oil filter crusher, which allows SSC to recycle more than 500 oil filters each year as scrap metal and remove and recycle more than 300 gallons of additional waste oil per year from the spent filters.

Gregoire seeks relief for San Juan businesses
Governor Chris Gregoire requested the U.S. Small Business Administration declare an economic injury disaster for businesses in San Juan County affected by the November 26, 2006 snowstorm.
“The declaration can be a major boost in helping shop owners recover from the effects of the storm,” said Governor Gregoire. “I will urge the SBA to take prompt action on this request, so shop owners can apply for low-interest loans to obtain working capital for their businesses.”
Governor Gregoire’s request certifies that at least five small businesses in San Juan County have suffered substantial economic injury because of the storm and are in need of financial assistance not otherwise available on reasonable terms.

BLI sells Natural Channels brand
Ferndale-based Botanical Laboratories Inc. (BLI) announced the sale of its natural brands, ZAND®, Herbs for Kids®, NatraBio® and bioAllers® to NUTRA, Inc., a subsidiary of Nutraceutical Corp. (NASDAQ-NUTR) of Park City, Utah. The transaction was finalized Jan. 10.
The sale of these natural brands has significantly simplified the company’s marketing and sales processes.
BLI is now focused on penetrating deeper into the food, drug and mass channel via the brand launch of its Wellesse™ family of specialty supplements starting March 2007. Along with the Wellesse Brand launch the company is significantly improving the taste and packaging of its core Joint Movement Glucosamine® product. The company will also continue to offer its expertise in homeopathy and herbal categories through its private-label manufacturing division. The private label division will also continue to manufacture the sold brands.
Botanical Laboratories Inc., founded in 1988, is a fully integrated marketer of premium specialty supplement products targeting wellness-oriented consumers in the Direct to Consumer (DTC), Food, Drug and Club channels of distribution.

Horizon increases service with larger aircraft
Horizon Air celebrated 20 years of service to Bellingham International Airport in a big way – by operating all flights with larger aircraft, increasing seats to Seattle by 50 percent.
Starting March 18, Horizon replaced four flights operated with Bombardier 37-seat Q200s with three operated with 74- to 76-seat Bombardier Q400s. On April 22, the remaining four Q200 flights will be replaced with three Q400 flights. From that point forward, there will be six daily flights.
“We’ve grown along with Bellingham over the past 20 years, and we’re excited to mark the anniversary of our service to the city by rolling out these plans,” said Patrick Zachwieja, Horizon vice president of marketing and planning. “The increased capacity will significantly increase our ability to meet the local demand for our services.”
Horizon has served Bellingham longer than any other airline, flying more than 1.13 million passengers to and from the airport, and serves 48 cities throughout California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and British Columbia and Alberta.

Accolades for Blue Sea Web site
Blue Sea Systems’ new Web site has won the Boats.com/North American Marine Industry Web Award in the Best Marine Equipment category. Judges praised the site for its “organization of information, user-interface engineering, production detail and efficiency of code.” They complimented Blue Sea Systems for embracing an “elegant and efficient design.”
Many boatbuilders and boat owners rely on Blue Sea Systems’ Web site to locate the product that they want. “From listening to our customers, we know that our Web site is a key tool in their decision-making process when selecting our products. We wanted a Web site that worked well for our customers,” David Johnson, senior vice president, said.
People in all key areas of the company were involved in the site design process and worked with StudioThink to create the new site.

Cargill recognized for safety
The Association of Washington Business presented 15 members with its annual Better Workplace Awards at its 2007 Legislative Day In February. Cargill Animal Nutrition of Ferndale was recognized with a certificate of merit for its overall focus on safety. The company’s safety initiative focuses on behavior modification safety training through “Safe Start” and “Safe Track” programs, which focus on making employees more aware of their actions during the day and constantly focusing on safety in their daily routines.
Among the company’s safety initiatives is a unique policy that states no Cargill employee may talk on a cell phone while driving on the job.

Integral nets licensing agreement for ElectriPlast
Bellingham-based Integral Technologies Inc., has announced that Knowles Electronics, LLC has entered into a licensing agreement with Integral and has purchased the company’s proprietary ElectriPlast technology for use in their products.
Knowles is the world’s leading provider of microphones and receivers to the hearing health industry. They are credited with the miniaturization of the acoustic transducer, which has enabled the design and manufacture of smaller hearing aids. Knowles has increased the transducers’ sensitivity and maximum output, helping those with even the most profound hearing loss.
This order and shipment represents the first commercial order for Integral’s ElectriPlast technology. Integral’s manufacturing agreement with Jasper Rubber provides for faster delivery of the multiple ElectriPlast applications.
ElectriPlast, the world’s first highly conductive polymer, was recently selected as a recipient of the Consumer Electronic Show’s Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Award in the Enabling Technologies product category.
Integral Technologies continues to work with numerous companies that are exploring more than 111 patented and patent-pending identified applications of the company’s ElectriPlast technology.

Partners buy Fussner Building
RunningsShoes.com, Saratoga Commercial Management, Whatcom Environmental Services and the law firm of Brownlie Evans Wolf & Lee recently joined forces to purchase the historic Fussner monument building at the corner of State Street and Champion Street in downtown Bellingham.
The Fussner family built the building in 1922 to house a granite and tombstone carving business. The new partnership plans to remodel the existing building to include office and retail spaces for themselves and tenants.
Construction is expected to begin this summer and to be completed before the end of 2007. Once construction is completed, a new 1,100-square-foot retail space will be available for lease.

Green Barn moves to new location
The Green Barn, a Lynden store specializing in local produce and dairy products, is moving April 2 to a building three times larger than its current location. The new site for The Green Barn on Guide Meridian is just south of the Badger Road intersection and formerly occupied by an overflow lot of Scholten’s Equipment.
“The 5,000-square-foot building will allow us to offer more fruits and vegetables year-round and under cover, including nonspray and certified organic produce,” said Josh Burger, a store manager and brother of co-owners Tim and Dave Burger. “We’ll also be expanding our dairy, dry goods and Dutch food departments. We’ll particularly have more space for organic dry goods and gluten-free products.”
Additions at The Green Barn’s new location will include a Pacific Perk espresso stand, owned by Casey Robi and Tim Burger, plus the store will sell organic and regular beef, plus seafood, from Sundance Beef of Ferndale.
The Green Barn relies primarily on vendors from Whatcom County, Skagit Valley, Eastern Washington and British Columbia. Other local suppliers include Sm’apples Orchards of Ferndale, Freida’s Flowers of Lynden, Generations Blueberry Farm of Everson, Barbie’s Berries of Ferndale and Guilmette’s Busy Bees of Bellingham.

Poulsbo RV breaks ground for expansion
Poulsbo RV broke ground on a new 10,600-square-foot building to house their expanding RV dealership in Mount Vernon.
The new facility will include 3,600 square feet of first-floor offices, restrooms, sales, and parts and service areas and another 3,600-square-feet of second-floor mezzanine area for storage, mechanical, IT rooms and even more future expansion. Six thousand square feet will house five service bays; wash down bay and a 1,000-square-foot canopy area.
Poulsbo RV wants to thank Jack Hilde and Alan N. Perkes Construction, both long time residents and businessmen in Skagit County, for making the project possible.
The newly expanded facility will employ approximately 25 full-time workers.

Facilities in the Northwest adds Maple Hall
Facilities in the Northwest, the online reservation system for banquet and event venues in Skagit and Whatcom counties, has added La Conner’s Maple Hall. This historic landmark overlooks picturesque Swinomish Channel. Maple Hall can seat up to 300. The adjacent Civic Garden Club can hold up to 49 people and is currently listed on the National Historic Register.

Oak Harbor honors local businesses
The Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet at Whidbey Golf and Country Club took place in February. Famed hydroplane racer Chip Hanauer was keynote speaker.
“You are the leaders of this community,” Hanauer told the group of 150 business and civic leaders. “What I miss most from my racing days is the camaraderie I shared with everyone on my team and all the other racers, it’s that same camaraderie that you have in your chamber.”
The room was filled with representatives from various businesses from throughout the North Whidbey community, many of whom were nominated for their customer service and quality business practices, and recognized by fellow chamber members as being the best of the best.
“This year we had more businesses nominated than ever before, and the quality and diversity of those businesses was impressive,” said Jill Johnson, executive director of the Oak Harbor Chamber.
The 2007 Award Recipients were:
Ambassador of the Year: Lee Youngblood
Business Community Service Award: 7-Eleven
Customer Service Award: Solutions+
Service Organization of the Year: Soroptimist International
Chamber Leadership Award: Leo Mitchall, Oak Harbor Sears
Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Island Thrift
Quality Award: Ace Hardware
Employer of the Year: Wallgren’s Les Schwab Tires
The Chamber also honored those individuals and organizations whose dedication and community commitment have played a large role in helping Oak Harbor grow into what it is today with special Acorn Awards. These awards were presented to: Phil and Lydia Sikes for their leadership with the Harborside Merchant’s Association; Myron Brundage and the American Cancer Society for the success of Relay for Life; The Community Harvest Committee for the annual community Thanksgiving that feeds more than 3,500 guests each year; and the Oak Harbor Arts Association for the creation of Driftwood Days.
A special Visionary Award was presented to Scott Fraser for his bold step of being the first to build a mixed-use, infill project in downtown Oak Harbor.

Relaxation Station open Sundays
Relaxation Station is now open on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., expanding operations to seven days a week. Monday-Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Relaxation Station is located in downtown Mount Vernon.

Four-Diamond ranking for Semiahmoo
AAA recently awarded Semiahmoo Resort-Golf-Spa with its prestigious Four-Diamond Award for the 11th consecutive year.
The oceanfront resort earned the AAA rating based on established standards, including its upscale accommodations and amenities, coupled with a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.
“We’re extremely pleased to have earned the AAA four-diamond designation again this year,” said Jeff Kline, Semiahmoo Resort operations manager. “This ranking serves as a trusted symbol for AAA and CAA members in selecting lodgings that will meet their needs and expectations, and we’re proud to once again be included in this group.”
Of more than 60,000 establishments reviewed, Semiahmoo Resort is one of only 3.4 percent that meet the rigorous standards needed to earn the esteemed AAA four-diamond designation.

Wilson Motors receives TopShop Award from AAA Washington
Bellingham Toyota, Scion and Mercedes Benz dealer Wilson Motors was recently awarded the 2006 AAA TopShop Award for their service department’s “outstanding performance during the past year ... graded on technical ability, customer satisfaction, professionalism and shop cleanliness.”
Wilson Motors was found to be among the “best of the best” when compared with more than 340 repair facilities across Washington and Northern Idaho.
As a 2006 TopShop Award recipient, the Wilson Motors listing on AAA Washington’s Web site will have a special icon identifying their accomplishment.
Rick Wilson is General Manager of the dealership, and Bob Wilson is Parts & Service Director.

Success inspires Fairhaven gallery move
When Tracie Barrick opened The Bunch, a gallery in Fairhaven’s Harris Square Courtyard last May, she didn’t realize she’d be moving quite so soon.
The colorful shop, featuring the works of local artists and craftspeople, soap and body products made at the gallery, and fragrant lavender items from her mother’s Sequim farm, already needs more showroom space. The shop relocated to 1005 Harris Ave. in March.
“Even tucked away in Harris Square Courtyard, people have been finding me,” said Barrick. “But the new space on Harris Avenue will be more visible and allow for more room.”

Web site launches for Garys’ Men’s and Women’s Wear
Baron & Company announced the launch of a new Web site for Garys’, www.garysbellingham.com, Bellingham’s premier clothing store. The new site showcases Garys’ offerings to local and national consumers, and provides customers with contact information.

Wireless company expands globally
Unity Wireless Corporation (OTCBB: UTYW), announced in February that it received $1.2 million in new orders. These new orders, originating from the company’s rapidly growing South East Asian region, include products from Unity’s Coverage Enhancement Solutions line.
In March the company announced that its regional African business development strategy, launched late last year, has rapidly brought in first orders of approximately $200,000. These are the first in a series of orders expected to continue as the clients deploy their networks.
Unity’s systems are being deployed in South Africa and Cameroon supporting the continent’s strong Internet Service Provider network expansion in an area of the world where geography and climate make reliable wire line deployment impractical. While Internet uptake is growing strongly, market penetration is still very low due to the lack of reliable phone lines.
Recently the company also received 20-year patent for remote repeater technology in China.
Unity Wireless is a provider of wireless coverage enhancement solutions for cellular operators and custom subsystems for network infrastructure manufacturers.

Enhanced driver license is a passport alternative
Last month Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law a measure she requested for enhanced driver licenses that will keep British Columbia border crossings secure, fast and convenient for Washington citizens.
“Washington and B.C. have a long history of friendship and our shared border must permit the trade and tourism that supports our shared economy,” said Governor Gregoire. “We looked at the restrictions of the federal passport requirements and we came up with a solution that is secure, more affordable and allows more trade and tourism.”
The legislation authorizes enhanced driver licenses, issued on proof of citizenship, identity and residency, which can be used instead of a passport by citizens crossing the border between Washington and British Columbia. The new licenses will cost $40, a more affordable price than the $97 cost for a passport, and will be available faster than the six- to eight-week wait for a passport.
The enhanced driver licenses are part of a pilot project developed by Governor Gregoire and British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell. The pilot project is in response to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that, after June 1, 2009, will require a federally issued passport or passport card document to cross the border.
Safe and convenient border crossings between Washington and British Columbia will become even more important when B.C. hosts the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, bringing unprecedented numbers of tourists to the region.