Mills Electric assets purchased from bankruptcy
Substantially all of the assets of H.E. Mills Electric, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 7, 2006, have been purchased by John P. Huntley, the major shareholder in PM Northwest, Inc., a company specializing in refinery maintenance. Huntley’s purchase of the assets of Mills became effective Jan 1, 2007. The new company will be doing business as Mills Electric, Inc.
Over the years, PM Northwest and Mills have done numerous contracts in various refineries all over the Pacific Northwest. The purchase is a natural fit for both companies, states Huntley.
PM Northwest has been in business since 1956 and Mills has been in business since 1911. Says Huntley, “It would be a shame to lose a company with as much history in this community as Mills Electric has.”

Western Air makes inaugural flight
The Port of Bellingham congratulates Western Air on its inaugural flight from Bellingham to Los Angeles. Western is a new air service in Bellingham that will provide non-stop service from Bellingham to Los Angeles/Ontario, Phoenix and San Diego. These are all new travel destinations from the Bellingham International Airport.
The first Western flight on its 737-400 returned to Bellingham with a celebration upon its arrival.
Western is a public charter based in Bellingham, with flights operated by Xtra Airways of Elko, Nev. Western is going through the process of gaining federal licensing to become an airline and is operating as a charter until it gains that licensing.

Port of Skagit develops succession plan
The Port of Skagit County enters 2007 with a leadership succession plan in place, preparing well in advance for Executive Director Jerry Heller’s retirement during 2009.
Commissioners Glenn Allen, Jerry Kaufman and Kevin Ware have worked closely with Heller to develop the plan, which will draw on talent from within the organization for the coming leadership transition.
Key to the plan is the promotion of long-time employee Patsy Martin to the new position of deputy executive director. Martin has built her career around port management, working for the Port of Anacortes for seven years before coming to the Port of Skagit County in 1995. While with the Port of Skagit County her responsibilities have steadily grown in scope. In promoting Martin to the deputy director position, Heller and the commissioners are signaling their intention that she will eventually assume the executive position.
According to Commission President Glenn Allen, “Businesses consider succession planning to be a ‘best practice’ that is key to long term success. Thanks to Jerry’s foresight, we’ve been able to work together and plan a seamless transition that will strengthen, rather than disrupt, the port.”
Another key port employee, Scott Peterson, is also taking on new responsibilities. Within the past year he has moved from his position of finance director to a new role, directing facilities maintenance for the airport, the marina and the port’s Bayview Business and Industrial Park. Peterson also manages public works contracts and leasing. The port hired Kristin Garcia, a former assistant Washington state auditor, as deputy director of finance in July 2006; she took over as director of finance January 1.
Said Heller, “Patsy, Scott and Kristin are experienced, seasoned professionals who are ready to assume more leadership responsibilities. I’m going to enjoy working with them to make a prudent and effective transition for the port.”

Aluminum Chambered Boats signs agreement with Navy
Bellingham-based Aluminum Chambered Boats (ACB) has partnered with Northrop Grumman Corporation to design and build a riverine craft for the United States Navy. The demonstrator craft will be a trial as part of the Navy’s Riverine/Coastal Warfare program.
ACB will design an industry-unique riverine craft that is highly maneuverable, fast and stable. Northrop Grumman, a global defense and technology company, will outfit the platform with weapon and sensor systems. The team also plans to pursue an emerging global market that is seeking similar capabilities.

‘Flash in the Pan’ showcases local businesses
Local economic development on South Whidbey received a boost in June 2006 with the debut of a 300-square-foot retail space available for short-term lease called “Flash in the Pan.” Located in the Bayview Cash Store at Bayview Corner, the space is available for local entrepreneurs who want to test a business in a retail environment without making a long-term lease commitment.
Those who wish to start a home business and need to introduce their services or products to the community, or those with established home businesses looking to boost their exposure, will be interested in a Flash in the Pan presence as well.
Flash in the Pan is a project of the Goosefoot Community Fund, owner and landlord of the Cash Store, and a local nonprofit whose mission includes economic development on South Whidbey.
The store space is capable of supporting retail and small food service businesses with mobile counter space and in-store water connections available.
Flash in the Pan tenants may lease the space for a minimum of two and a maximum of four months. They pay 10 percent of monthly gross sales up to a maximum of $3,000 per month ($300) plus $150 for utilities and common area charges. Flash tenants also receive technical assistance with business planning, marketing and advertising from Goosefoot.
“It’s been highly successful, as well as fun,” says Debbie Torget, Bayview Properties Manager. Whidbey Island Ice Cream was the first Flash tenant last summer, followed by Raven Rocks Studio through the recent holiday season. Threads: New Clothing and Not will be setting up shop through March followed by Skate Invaders, a skateboard shop opening and operating as the culminating high school project for 16-year-old Devin Jones.
“The goals of the program have been to assist local businesses in experimenting with a retail shop, to generate adequate rental income from the space, and to create diverse traffic in the Cash Store to benefit our existing merchants,” Torget said. “We’re feeling very positive that we’re hitting all three of those objectives.”
Interest has been high and Flash in the Pan is leased through 2007.

Bellingham seeks nominations for arts awards
The Bellingham Arts Commission is accepting nominations for the 28th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards, designed to honor citizens who have significantly contributed to the arts in our community. Deadline for nominations is Feb. 16, 2007.
Accomplishments by individual artists, businesses, benefactors, organizations, arts educators, arts supports, civic improvement leaders or notable events or achievements are all possible areas for Mayor’s Arts Awards. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to nominate candidates for these awards.
For information and nomination forms, visit the city’s Web site at www.cob.org.

BAC introduces RMAX
RMAX International, a health and fitness organization founded upon the Circular Strength Training® System (CST) will officially open the first RMAX Gym, Ltd. in Bellingham in partnership with the Bellingham Athletic Club.
Opening last month, the initial RMAX Gym, Ltd. is a 600-square-foot facility within the Bellingham Athletic Club’s downtown site. A 2,000 square-foot-location at the Bellingham Athletic Club’s Cordata location is scheduled to open September 2007.
“Creating and opening these two RMAX-branded facilities is a dream come true,” said Scott Sonnon, creator of CST and founder of RMAX International. “After a lifetime of developing programs that benefit all types of people emotionally, physically and mentally, I am delighted to provide a hub where these systems can be offered.”
The RMAX Gym, Ltd. will offer group and private CST sessions throughout the day, which will be taught by Sonnon and other CST certified instructors.

WSO records Dvorak, Beethoven
The Whatcom Symphony Orchestra’s has made its first professional recording. The CD includes a performance of the Dvorak 7th Symphony by the full orchestra and of the Beethoven 4th Symphony by the chamber orchestra.
The CD is on sale at select locations around Bellingham.

General manager buys Gold’s Gym
Tamara McClellan, general manager at Gold’s Gym in Bellingham, has purchased the business from Jim and Debby Sincraugh, who retired to Eastern Washington. The purchase price was not disclosed.
McClellan has been general manager since 2000 and has worked at the gym since its opening in 1996.
One of McClellan’s first actions as owner was to buy two new Nautilus and StepMills. The new equipment was installed in late December. McClellan also plans to add BODYVIVE, a class specifically for aging baby boomers that improves strength and endurance, agility and balance and cardiovascular health.

International Absorbents reports record third quarter sales
International Absorbents Inc. (AMEX: IAX), Ferndale-based developer and producer of environmentally friendly pet care and industrial products, reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended October 31, 2006.
Sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2007 increased by 28 percent to a company record for a single quarter of $8,615,000, versus $6,751,000 for the same period in fiscal year 2006. Sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2006, increased by 20 percent to $22,536,000, compared to $18,717,000 for same period in the prior fiscal year.
Gross profit for the three months ended October 31, 2006, increased by 61 percent to $3,069,000, versus $1,909,000 for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. Gross profit for the nine months ended October 31, 2006, rose by 30 percent to $7,282,000 compared to $5,595,000 for the comparable nine-month period in the prior fiscal year.
Net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2007 decreased to $69,000. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal year 2007 increased to $473,000.

Kulshan Group expands practice
Rapid growth in the virtual outsourcing industry has enabled local company Kulshan Group to create a business with its own healthy growth. Cindi Pree launched her virtual assistant practice in 2002, focusing on supporting real estate professionals across the United States. Kulshan Group has since grown out of its infancy as a home-based business into a traditional office setting. Beginning in January, Kulshan now has its first full-time employee on staff and expects to need at least one more in the coming year.
Kulshan Group services are marketed exclusively via the Internet and, even more prominently, through online networking. Pree belongs to several international Virtual Assistant organizations, and networks extensively in the online real estate community. She currently serves on the REVA Network Board of Directors and as their transaction coordination guild chair (with a designation as master transaction coordinator).

SVC selected as state trooper testing site
Skagit Valley College’s Administration of Justice program in Mount Vernon has been selected to host the Washington State Patrol’s (WSP) initial testing, as that agency seeks qualified candidates for the position of state trooper. SVC’s site selection marks the first time that the WSP has conducted testing and recruitment activities in Skagit County.
WSP recently reduced the eligible hiring age for applicants to 19-1/2 years of age, in an effort to expand the search for qualified candidates.

Relaxation Station adds new massage bed
Relaxation Station in downtown Mount Vernon now has its new Sensa Jade Elite LightSpeed 3500 massage bed. This bed has Far Infrared heated jade rollers that move up and down the body. Far Infrared light/heat delivers an unprecedented deep-tissue body penetration of several inches. As such, it can reach the major organs and deep muscle tissue more effectively and safer than any other form of heat and light.

Tails-A-Wagging remodel complete
Tails-A-Wagging Doggie Day Care and Obedience Training is now finished with the expansive remodel of their new location on Hammer Drive in Bellingham. They now have more than 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor facilities.
The completed remodel is just in time to celebrate their 10-year anniversary in Bellingham.
Besides larger play rooms for the day care dogs as well as a new full service grooming department, Tails-A-Wagging has built a 3,000-square-foot training center. The business also has Bellingham’s only indoor Agility Center for Dogs.
Tails-A-Wagging now offers day and evening classes for their puppy kindergarten, clicker classes, agility, canine good citizen and Rally O classes.

Sales of upscale homes push average purchase price in Whatcom County higher
The average sales price of a home in 2006 rose in Whatcom County’s largest communities, although evidence mounts that the housing market significantly cooled down last year.
Sales of homes costing more than $500,000 pushed up the average price, according to Lylene Johnson of The Muljat Group south office in Fairhaven. Johnson analyzed data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service and the Bellingham-Whatcom County Multiple Listing Service to calculate comprehensive statistics for local communities.
The average sales price of a home in Bellingham during 2006 was $368,672, up 12 percent from 2005. However, the number of homes sold in Bellingham fell 6 percent, the number of homes on the market increased 35 percent and the average number of days a house was on the market before it sold soared from 41 days to 66 days. Statistics from other communities in the county told similar stories.
“The average price for the top 15 percent of house sales rose dramatically in 2006 from $633,483 to $751,181,” Johnson said. “But the average sales price for the remaining 85 percent of homes actually declined slightly in 2006, so most residents shouldn’t assume their house values rose much last year.”
One reason for slower appreciation in the value of most homes is that many more properties are on the market now. Bellingham had only 209 houses for sale at the end of 2004, but that figure jumped to 540 on Dec. 31, 2006. Housing inventory also has doubled in the last two years in Lynden (from 61 to 121), Ferndale (103 to 209) and Sudden Valley (43 to 112) while rising significantly in Blaine/Birch Bay (156 to 225).

Left Coast Furnishings celebrates first year
Left Coast Furnishings is proud to announce their one-year anniversary.
“This first year has been exciting and a learning process as well,” owner and manager Tom Esia said. “We really want to thank everyone for coming in and supporting our new local business.” Left Coast Furnishings offers custom furniture ranging from modern to transitional in design. Left Coast Furnishings future plans are to continue to expand selection according to their customers needs.

CFMA to have Northwest Washington chapter
The Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) is proud to announce the Northwest Washington Chapter-in-formation is well under way and will serve Whatcom, Skagit, Island, Snohomish and San Juan counties.
The Northwest Washington Chapter’s initial meeting was on January 23, with guest Ted Mischaikov.
CFMA serves the construction industry to develop and support construction financial professionals in meeting the challenges of the construction industry, and has done so since 1981.

Gov. Gregoire visits Bellingham students
Governor Chris Gregoire visited a seventh grade class at Fairhaven Middle School in Bellingham last month, where she participated in a simulated marketplace and shared with students her plan to create a rainy day fund.
“The Washington rainy day fund will work just like your family savings account. We will build it up with automatic deposits when times are good and we can feel secure knowing that there is extra money available to meet basic needs if times suddenly turn bad or if a disaster strikes,” said Gov. Gregoire.
“Saving for the future is one of my top priorities, just as it is for every Washington family,” said Gov. Gregoire. “This rainy day fund will help our state ride out the natural ups and downs of the economy while still delivering on my promise to Washington students and families.”

Stevenson, McCulloch CPAs Inc. consolidates offices
Stevenson, McCulloch CPAs Inc., P.S., has consolidated operations with its Ferndale office. The tax, accounting and consulting firm will continue serving all new and existing clients at the current Ferndale location on LaBounty Drive.
Stevenson, McCulloch established its practice in Bellingham in 1982 and has operated from the same location since that time. The Ferndale office was established in 1994. The firm primarily serves clients throughout the Whatcom County area, but has clients from Alaska to Florida and beyond.
Firm spokesman Lew Stevenson indicates the consolidation will eliminate duplication of efforts in the two offices, which are a 10-minute drive from each other. The firm expects to ease administrative burdens, allowing more allocation of time in serving its growing client base.
State approves Cascade Natural Gas rate hike
State regulators conditionally approved a 2.7 percent overall rate hike for residential and business customers of Cascade Natural Gas Company in January. The company filed its request with the UTC last February, seeking a rate hike of nearly 4.5 percent and increased annual revenues of $11.7 million.
In addition to increasing gas rates, the settlement authorizes the company to increase certain customer service charges, including fees for disconnection, reconnection and late payments. However, the approved settlement does not include any increase to the current $4 monthly customer service charge. Cascade initially requested an increase to $10 a month. The UTC required the agreement to set 8.85 percent as a reasonable return on total investment for the utility, rather than the 9.37 percent sought by the company.
Seattle-based Cascade Natural Gas serves 178,760 residential and business customers in 65 communities in the state, including Bellingham.

Phil Dyer & Associates changes name
Phil Dyer & Associates, Inc. Realtors announced the company has changed its name to Sterling Real Estate Group and is expanding. While keeping the office in Fairhaven on Larrabee Avenue, Sterling Real Estate Group opened a new office in Squalicum Harbor in the Harbor Mall Building on Coho Way.
The Harbor office also houses Sterling Builders, LLC, the firm’s residential and commercial construction company. Sterling Builders built 40 new special and custom homes in the last four years. Sterling also has a model home in the Pacific Highlands subdivision in Ferndale.

Charbonneau opens Waddell & Reed office
Waddell & Reed Financial Services and David Charbonneau announced the grand opening of Waddell & Reed’s Blaine office serving the Blaine and Birch Bay communities.
Charbonneau has a 20-year financial representative career with American Express, Washington Mutual, Linsco Private Ledger and now Waddell & Reed.

Ferndale Boys & Girls Club secures site
The staff and board of directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County, Ferndale branch have confirmed a temporary site for the programs following a devastating New Year’s Day fire.
The Ferndale staff opened the doors in January at Whatcom New Life Assembly Church, located on Main Street in Ferndale. Both the before school program and the after school daily program will be running consistently at the church until a permanent new clubhouse can be funded and built.
Church officials were eager to house the programs and have offered an entire wing of the facility for Boys & Girls Club programs extending as far out as 18-24 months.
The club will resume the before school program from 7:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., Monday through Friday, offering a more comprehensive transportation program. They will also restart the after school daily program, running Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The club will also begin hosting teen nights, alternating every other Friday. Teen night hours are 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and are open for youth from 7th-12th grade.

Local online business directory reaches three years
Whatcom.Info, recently celebrated its three-year anniversary and reached its 600th registered member. In addition, Whatcom.Info ended the year with more than 25,000 unique visitors in December 2006. The Web site offers free listings to businesses and organizations that are located and provide services in Whatcom County.
“Whatcom.info is actively promoted on Internet search services and local print publications, making it easier for prospective customers to find member businesses and organizations. The site has grown steadily in both members and users over the last three years,” said David Ladiges, co-owner of Whatcom Web, LLC.
Whatcom.Info free listings include business contact information, logo upload, a business summary provided by the member, a Web site link and more. Visitors to Whatcom.Info may narrow their search by using cities, or categories, such as financial services, real estate, golf courses, restaurants and tourist attractions.

New financial program on KCTS
KCTS premiers a new series, About the Money, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. This 13-week personal finance series features practical financial advice for consumers and investors alike. Some topics include debt consolidation, investing, home-buying, achieving financial goals, relevant local and regional business news. The show is hosted by award-winning broadcast journalist Christine Chen.

EPA lessens paperwork for small businesses
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responded to small businesses and taken a step toward reducing their paperwork burden by reforming the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) rule. EPA’s reform will help small businesses, especially manufacturers, remain competitive while still informing communities of the use of toxic materials by local firms.
While small firms are this country’s
The Office of Advocacy, the “small business watchdog” of the federal government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats and it funds research into small business issues.

Bellingham seeks applicants for ‘small and simple’ projects
The City of Bellingham is now accepting applications for its Small and Simple Projects fund. This program funds up to $2,500 for projects that provide a citywide benefit.
Neighborhood associations, community organizations, schools and simi
For additional information and application materials, see the Small and Simple Projects link from the City’s Web site at www.cob.org/documents/planning/2007-small-simple-app.pdf. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2007.
For more information contact Travis Cary, City of Bellingham Planning & Community Development Department, 360.676.6880, tcary@cob.org.

AWB urges Congress to restore transportation funding
The Association of Washington Business has asked Washington’s Congressional delegation to support restoring full transportation funding for our state’s highways, transit systems and safety projects.
According to AWB President Don Brunell, Washington loses $56.4 million in federal funding collected from the federal portion of the gas tax if Congress does not act by Feb. 15. That is enough money to provide construction work for more than 2,600 workers.
AWB is part of Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM), which is a national coalition led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “We believe that safe roads and congestion elimination are paramount to our state’s economic vitality and quality of life,” Brunell said.
The problem with funding arose because Congress was unable to finish its appropriations work before adjourning last year. Since the 2007 fiscal year began on Oct. 1, the federal government has been operating on stopgap funding through what is known as a “Continuing Resolution” that expires on Feb. 15.
According to ATM, the new leaders in Congress need to come up with a funding plan for the remainder of the 2007 fiscal year (through September 30, 2007) in the next couple of weeks.
Without immediate Congressional action, funding for highways, transit and safety programs will likely be funded at last year’s levels, which is roughly $3.8 billion below what each state has anticipated.

AccuWest Pacific moves business to Sedro-Woolley
AccuWest Pacific owner Dan Estabrook has moved his company to Sedro-Woolley and expanded the business. The showroom, called “American Dream Home Center,” features AccuWest Pacific, Apollo Decks & Gutters and EZ Builders under one roof, along with other professionals. American Dream Home Center can offer a wide range of construction services, such as project financing to planning and designing.

Haggen wins two national advertising awards
Haggen, Inc. recently received two more Creative Choice Awards for advertising from the National Grocers Association.
Haggen’s “Pence Peaches” commercial received an honorable mention (runner-up) award in the category of Best Radio Ad during 2006. The Bellingham-based company also earned an honorable mention for Best Advertising Campaign with “Where Your Best Meals Begin.”
The two national awards give Haggen a total of 22 since 1999.

Geocom commences work on La Carolina property
Bellingham-based Geocom Resources Inc. (OTCBB: GOCM) has commenced exploration on its La Carolina hydrothermal gold project in the Province of San Luis, Argentina, by its joint venture partner Latin American Minerals.
The exploration program includes soil geochemical surveys, geophysical surveys (IP surveys, CSAMT and magnetometer surveys), geological mapping, rock chip sampling, trench sampling and diamond drilling. Eleven high priority targets associated with known gold occurrences and/or highly anomalous gold soil anomalies have been identified.